Mentor Program


Application for PDPW Mentor Program
Wisconsin agriculture is powered by a $45.6 billion dairy industry that's full of opportunities for the next generation. By participating in the Professional Dairy Producers of Wisconsin Mentor Program, you can grow your network, share ideas and get hands-on experience that will help you build your own future in dairy.
The goals of the PDPW Mentor Program are to increase opportunities for students to experience modern dairy production systems and to stimulate career planning with production agriculture as an option. We've developed the PDPW Mentor Program for students of four-year universities, technical schools and Short Course Students.
Here are the three easy steps to have a successful Mentor Program experience:
1. Apply
Complete and submit the PDPW Mentor Program student application, resume and Disclaimer of Liability by November 15, 2021. PDPW will contact you with your match by November 24, 2021. You can apply by filling out the form below. Also, mark your calendar to attend the PDPW Business Conference March 16-17, 2022. We ask that you do not apply if you know you will not be able to attend the conference.
2. Go
Contact your mentor and set up a date. Try to set up an entire day so you can get a full grasp of what your mentor does. It is important to ask questions and get to know each other, because that is what this day is all about! Also, don't be afraid to ask if you could shadow for more than one day. Remember to bring the completion form to the job shadow. Have your shadow completed, as well as your signed completion form, one-page summary and photo of you with your mentor turned in by February 7, 2022.
3. Business Conference
After the requirements are met and paperwork is finished and submitted, you will receive a complimentary registration to the PDPW Annual Business Conference at the Kalahari Resort and Convention Center in Wisconsin Dells taking place on March 16 and 17, 2022, including a one-night hotel stay for students. We expect that you will attend the mentor program breakfast, as this is a tremendous opportunity to catch up with your mentor, network with dairy industry experts and meet new students from around the state!
Application questions can be directed to Olivia Spaight at ospaight@pdpw.org.