Closing Day of YDLI
Day Four of YDLI – Wrapping Up
By Lindsey Worden, Holstein Association USA
The dust has settled and the smoke has cleared…Phase I of Class 6 of Young Dairy Leaders Institute is now complete! Saturday provided a busy day of workshops preparing attendees for their Phase II projects and wrapping up with a final banquet.
Jolene Brown being the morning with her session, titled “Pilot Your Leadership Journey”, where she talked about taking charge of their actions and guiding their own path. Also discussed were questions that all leaders should be able to answer, generation differences and strengths that can affect team situations, and making sure that your actions and behaviors reflect your dedication.
Next was the highly anticipated Key Industry Issues Panel discussion. Sitting on the panel was Richard Cotta, CEO of California Dairies (a milk cooperative), Pennsylvania Secretary of Agriculture Dennis Wolff, and Liz Doornink, a Wisconsin dairy producer and co-chair of American Farmers for the Advancement and Conservation of Technology (AFACT). Panelists gave brief presentations concerning their businesses, interests, and motivations, then gave class members the opportunity to ask questions, which covered a wide variety of topics. Popular subjects related to milk labeling and rBST usage, relating to consumers, milk marketing tactics, and how dairy producers can adapt to the ever-changing demands of consumers while still running a profitable operation.
After lunch, people were challenged to step outside of their comfort zone and explore differing opinions. Everyone matched up with their learning partners and ventured out around Albuquerque to the airport and University of New Mexico campus to do some “man on the street” style consumer interviews. They were given a set of questions to ask, relating to factors that affect consumers purchasing decisions and their feelings on hormones, antibiotics, and animal welfare. Although some were a little nervous at first, the exercise turned out to be fun, and a great learning experience for all. Some even got to test out their “key messages” answering interviewees’ questions and providing a positive image of the dairy industry.
Michele Payn-Knoper lead the final session of the day, preparing everyone for their Phase II work, which will take place over the next year. YDLIers are given a set of “assignments” to accomplish during this phase, reinforcing the ideas learned during Phase I. The tasks include an outreach project of their choice, as well as encouraging interaction with their community, local media, and consumers. Class members brainstormed ideas and discussed them with YDLI Advisory Committee members. It will be exciting to see what this very talented group is able to accomplish!
After four intense days of training, everyone was ready to relax and enjoy a final evening with their classmates at the Fiesta Finale banquet. During dinner, everyone was entertained by a six-person, authentic mariachi band. Some class members even joined in the fun, singing and dancing with the group! Jolene Brown gave a memorable keynote on “letting go of the rope”, and soaring to new heights in the dairy industry. Everyone enjoyed their last evening in Albuquerque before getting up early and heading home.
The class will come together again in Albuquerque February 25-28, 2009 for Phase III, which focuses more on group leadership skills and advanced media training. All-in-all, Phase I was a resounding success. Thanks for reading this week! For more information on YDLI, visit www.holsteinfoundation.org or contact Jodi Hoynoski – jhoynoski@holstein.com or 800.952.5200, ext. 4261.
Panelist Liz Doornink answers a question
Groups work together to build bridges in a closing activity
Annie McCullough and Allison Specht enjoy the final evening
Class member Elias Torres Barrera sings along with the mariachi band!
Holstein Foundation Trustee and banquet sponsor WestfaliaSurge representative Rob Kolb poses for a quick picture with the band.