August 12, 2021
 
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Shelly Mayer
800-947-7379
mail@pdpw.org 
 
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PDPW Announces 2021-22 Educational Programs & Events Calendar
Educational programs to assist dairy farmers, industry professionals in managing successful businesses
 
DAIRY NEWS – The Professional Dairy Producers® (PDPW) is committed to bringing dairymen and the industry the tools they need to enhance their businesses as their mission is to share ideas, solutions, resources and experiences that help dairy producers succeed. The 2021-22 PDPW Educational Program & Events Calendar is packed with educational events and elite training opportunities that are key to assisting dairy farmers and industry professionals alike in strategically managing their businesses for success.
 
PDPW educational programs are dairy producer-driven and geared toward dairy farm owners, managers, employees and allied industry and designed to build and strengthen the dairy community through continuing education and professional development.
 
“The need for dairy farmers to stay updated on the latest research, management practices and news for their farms is more important than ever,” said Shelly Mayer, executive director of PDPW and dairy farmer from Slinger, Wis. “This year’s program lineup has been tailored to fit a variety of topics to fulfill the needs of our dairy industry.”
 
Dairy’s premier educational event, the 2022 Business Conference is scheduled for March 16-17 at the Kalahari Resorts and Conference Center, Wisconsin Dells, Wisc. This elite program features two days of keynote speakers, breakout sessions, hands-on workshops and networking opportunities designed to help today’s leaders discover and passionately pursue their dreams, ambitions and business goals.
Other highlights of the 2021-22 schedule include:
 

• The Dairy Signal™ – Executed live Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays, free online
  Join leading-edge presenters who share resources and strategies for managing dairy’s rapidly shifting industry during live discussions, three days a week, from 12:00-1:00 PM CT. Content aired on The Dairy Signal is recorded and available for free video or audio download. This free program has provided up-to-date news for dairy farmers and allied industry since March 2020 and will continue with new programming throughout the 2021-22 program year.

 

• ACE Twlight Meetings – Monday, Aug. 23, Juneau, Wis.; Tuesday, Aug. 24, Fennimore, Wis.; Wednesday, Aug. 25, Hatley, Wis.; and Thursday, Aug. 26, Deer Park, Wisc.

Organized by the Wisconsin Towns Association, Wisconsin Counties Association and PDPW, the free Agricultural Community Engagement® (ACE) meetings provide open dialogue on topics such as environmental resources, broadband, roads, schools, local ordinances and other important topics to Wisconsin communities and are held on farms throughout Wisconsin.
 

• Water Tours – Tuesday, Sept. 21 and Wednesday, Sept. 22

This event is geared toward community members, educators, local elected officials, farmers, consumers and neighbors to learn how to best manage water, one of the most important resources available. Tours will feature elite dairy farms, a ginseng producer, brewery, renewable energy facility and Jennie-O waste water treatment plant.
 

• Wisconsin Dairy Value-Added Tours – Wednesday, Oct. 13 and Thursday, Oct. 14

Tour operations throughout Wisconsin that are adding value to their businesses by diversifying.
 

• Calf Care Connection® – Tuesday, Oct. 26, Eau Claire, Wis. Wednesday, Oct. 27, Chilton, Wis. and Thursday, Oct. 28

Raising healthy high-performing calves are the future and backbone of every dairy operation; a calf producer panel will share their record-keeping system they use to keep everyone informed. New this year, workshops will be simultaneously available in Spanish.
 

• Financial Literacy for Dairy® Level 1 – Nov 10-11 and Dec. 8-9, Juneau, Wis.

Learn the foundational principles of financial literacy. Trainees can expect to gain confidence when working with lenders, set tangible goals and build a sound understanding of financial documentation.
            

• Herdsperson Workshop – Tuesday, Nov. 2, Marshfield, Wis. and Wednesday, Nov. 3, Arlington, Wis.
  This workshop will key in on some of the biggest challenges producers face when managing dairy herds and is designed for dairy farmers, herd managers, nutritionists, veterinarians and others making key herd management decisions on their dairy farms. This year’s workshop will hone in on alternative feeding, transition cows and human safety. Workshop will simultaneously be available in Spanish.

 

• Dairy Insights Summit – Thursday, Dec. 2
  Understanding changing markets and consumer trends can make a difference when managing your business. The PDPW Dairy Insights Summit will draw together innovative farmers, industry professionals and policymakers to understand and discuss these complex issues.

 

• Dairy Managers Institute® – Wednesday, Dec. 15 and Thursday, Dec. 16
  The first two tiers of the mid-manager program weaves classroom sessions, discussions and peer-to-peer interaction to stretch your management skills. The program features Becky Stewart-Gross sharing the difference between a manager and leader and understanding personality traits and Michael Hoffman, who will cover creating and maintaining the culture around you as well as expectations of a manager.

 

• Financial Literacy for Dairy® Level 2 – Jan. 19-20, Feb. 9-10, and March 2-3, 2022, Juneau, Wis.

Take it to the next level of financial acumen and decision making. Learn the complexity of financial management, key ratios, analysis, benchmarking and business planning to take your farm to peak financial performance.
 

• Managers Academy for Dairy Professionals™ – Jan. 11-13, 2022, West Palm Beach, Florida

This annual executive-level program will provide a reset in thinking and help cultivate new ideas and strategies to lead dairy farms successfully into the next decade. Hear from national speakers, partake in out-of-industry tours, and network with progressive, forward-thinking peers.
 

• HR, Conflict Management Training Exclusively in Spanish – Jan. 19 and 20, 2022

This program is designed for experienced Spanish-speaking dairy farm managers who oversee the dairy herd. The program will feature communication styles, types and leadership, and how to grow into a leader to inspire your team.
 

• Dairy Wellbeing Workshop – Feb. 2 and 3, 2022, Green Bay, Wis.

The workshop will cover the topic of animal well-being and look at the critical milestones that affect both the animal and industry as it relates to continual improvement and welfare within the industry.
 

• Cornerstone Dairy Academy™ – March 15-16, 2022, Wisconsin Dells, Wis.

Develop critical leadership and people-development skills in the three-pillar training program designed for dairy farmers and industry professionals.
            

• 2022 PDPW Business Conference – March 16-17, 2022, Wisconsin Dells, Wis.

“Bold Ideas Big Results” is the theme for the business conference at the Kalahari Resort and Conventions, Wisconsin Dells. Wisc.
                                         

• Financial Literacy for Dairy® Level 3 – March 23-24, 2022, Juneau, Wis.

This two-day deep-dive will provide advanced financial development, building on the core concepts taught in the first two levels. Topics will include scenario planning, performance monitoring, optimizing capital purchases, record-sharing protocols, strategies for family business governance, and more.
 

• Stride™ Youth Leadership Conference™ – April 2, 2022

This one-day program geared toward youth ages 15 to 18 years old will develop leadership skills while participating in group activities and team challenges.               
Details and registration information are available for all programs at www.pdpw.org or by calling PDPW at 800-947-7379.  Due to the rapidly changing environment in the dairy industry, our program calendar will remain flexible in order to adjust to member needs. 
 
Dairy farmers, students and industry professionals can find, track and record their continuing education and professional development through Dairy AdvanCE®. The online tool has emerged as dairy’s go-to resource for finding accredited professional development offerings. Learn more and register at dairyadvance.org.
 
Professional Dairy Producers (PDPW) is dairy’s professional development organization. As the nation’s largest dairy producer-led, grassroots organization of its kind, it focuses on education, networking and professional development to share ideas, solutions, resources and experiences that help dairy producers succeed.