YDLI - Day 1
Phase 1 of Class 6 of the Young Dairy Leaders Institute kicked off on Wednesday with tours of New Mexico dairy farms and a Welcome Fiesta.
New to YDLI this year, participants had the option to tour two New Mexico dairy farms. Approximately 60 class members visited the dairies, which were located about an hour south of Albuquerque. The first stop was Jones Dairy, Inc. in Veguita, run by Ron, Linda, Dale, and Jeff Jones. The Jones family milks 2,500 cows in a 56 stall rotary parlor. The second stop was H.A.W. Farms in Belen, NM. This dairy is owned by John and Holly Woelber, and their son, Luke. They milk 2,000 cows in a double 30 parallel parlor. We would like to thank both dairies for their hospitality! The weather cooperated once again, with temperatures in the low 60s. Both farms exposed class members to a style of dairying that many hadn’t experienced before, and it was a great learning experience for all.
After getting cleaned up, it was time to officially kick off the program with the New Mexico Welcome Fiesta. Going along with the “fiesta” theme for the class, everyone was able to enjoy some delicious Mexican food – chips, salsa, tacos, taquitos, and empanadas – while listening to good music and enjoying great company. After eating and some informal mingling, Holstein Foundation Programs Manager Jodi Hoynoski and YDLI Coach Michele Payn-Knoper lead the group in a mixer, challenging the class to step outside of their comfort zone and get to know their classmates a little better. The assignment was to pick a person that they didn’t already know and “interview” them to find the answer to some interesting questions. It was a great activity to get everyone acquainted and have some good laughs along the way.
Thursday will mark the beginning of the workshops for the class. Michele Payn-Knoper will kick off the session, giving everyone an idea of what lies ahead on their YDLI journey, and challenging them to expand their horizons. Next, Jim Henion will lead a workshop on understanding and working with different personality types. At lunch, the Holstein Foundation will honor the Distinguished Alumni Leader Award recipients, Bonnie Burr (2006) and Duane and Marilyn Hershey (2007). The afternoon begins with David Williamson helping everyone to think outside the box and stretching the limits of their creativity. Finally, the keynote speaker at dinner will be Patricia Katz (who is also leading a workshop on Friday), speaking about life balance leadership and sharing some strategies to help everyone “keep the fire in their fiesta”.
Check back tomorrow for updates and pictures from Thursday’s session!
Class members start to roll in….Jodi Hoynoski and Kelli Dunklee talk to Josh Hushon at the registration desk.
Annie McCullough and Jeni Dingbaum check out the calves at Jones Dairy in Veguita.
Group picture in front of the milking barn at H.A.W. Farm in Belen.
Headlocks as far as the eye can see at H.A.W. Farm!
Michele Payn-Knoper listens to Andy Meyer and Lori Connelly respond to the question, “If a movie were made about your life, what would it be called and what actor would portray you?”.