August 29, 2017
 
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Shelly Mayer
800-947-7379
mail@pdpw.org
 
Full Media Package is available (i.e. program logo, calendar, press release, etc.)
 
Review Calendar: Post Card
Review Press Release: Press Release
Review Fact Sheet: PDPW Fact Sheet
Logos: PDPW
Testimonial Photos: Shelly Mayer, Marty Hallock
   
DAIRY NEWS – More than 74 days of education, over 100 cutting-edge expert trainers, and thousands of dairy producer and industry professionals will come together for the 2017-18 educational year for Professional Dairy Producers (PDPW).  
 
The program year will include several well-known events, including the annual PDPW Business Conference, Managers Academy for Dairy Professionals™, and Agricultural Professional Partnerships® (APPs), as well new programming like Financial Literacy for Dairy™ and many workshops showcasing the latest advancements in animal care, profitability, next generation and farm transition, human resources, natural resources, food safety, and consumer trust.
 
“Programming is designed to provide dairy producers with the knowledge needed to successfully manage their animals, team members and businesses to create profitable, sustainable farms that can endure even during volatile economic times,” said Shelly Mayer, Executive Director of PDPW. “We are committed to working across the industry and with our consumers to ensure a strong future for the entire dairy community.”
 
Highlights from the 2017-18 Educational Program and Event Calendar include:
 

• Calf Care Connection® – October 11, 12, 13, 2017, in Chilton, Eau Claire, and Fennimore, Wis.
  Dr. Therese Ollivett and other calf experts will share the latest research and management practices in calf health, housing and sanitation.

• Financial Literacy for Dairy™ – October 23-24 and December 19-20, 2017, and January 23-24 and April 9-10, 2018, in Madison, Wis.
  A new curriculum, led by Dr. David Kohl, will provide dairy farmers and allied industry with the knowledge base and financial acumen necessary to successfully and confidently make daily, annual, and long-term strategic decisions in their dairy business.

• Out-of-State Dairy Tour – November 7-9, 2017, in the Blue Ridge Mountains, Virginia
  A tour of multiple dairies and creameries across Virginia will give 50 dairy farm owners and managers a new perspective on dairy farming.

• Food & Policy Summit – December 6-7, 2017, in Madison, Wis.
  Dairy owners, community leaders, elected officials and food system professionals will meet to discuss consumer trends and hot-button dairy science issues.

• Managers Academy for Dairy Professionals™ – January 16-18, 2018, in Orlando, Florida
  Dairy owners and managers, CEOs, industry directors, processors, marketers and distributors will come together for executive-level professional development training and networking, led by Dr. David Kohl and Disney trainer Lee Cockerell.

• Dairy Wellbeing Workshop – February 7 and 8, 2018, in Green Bay, Wis.
  This one-day workshop will explore and discuss animal handling practices, body condition scoring, culling decisions, antibiotic use and other welfare challenges.

• Cornerstone Dairy Academy™ – March 13-14, 2018, in Madison, Wis.
  This three-pillar leadership program will draw dairy farmers and industry professionals to focus on communications, ethics, economic trends and servant leadership.

• PDPW Business Conference – March 14-15, 2018, in Madison, Wis.
  Nearly 2,000 dairy farm owners, managers, and industry professionals will come together to access best-in-class dairy education and networking under one roof.

• Youth Leadership Derby® – April 7-8, 2018, in Oregon, Wis.
  A two-day lock-in draws 100 high school students for engaging, hands-on training including a visit to the University of Wisconsin-Madison campus for dairy science lab tours and training.

• Agricultural Professional Partnerships® – May 22-24, 2018, in Madison, Wis.
  Focused trainings and tours provide an opportunity for non-farm professionals who are looking to grow their understanding of the dairy industry from animal science to ecology and business management practices.

The program calendar also includes the popular PDPW World Class Webinars library featuring monthly online sessions with experts on timely topics. 
 
“PDPW programming is unique because of the topics and focus areas are determined by active dairy farmers with a priority on new and innovative ideas that we can’t find anywhere else,” said Marty Hallock, dairy farmer and PDPW Board President. “The opportunities to network and learn from other forward-thinking dairy producers, managers and industry professionals is invaluable as I make plans for my own business.”
 
Dairy farmers have a new tool to find and track continuing education opportunities at www.DairyAdvance.org. Dairy AdvanCE™ was introduced by PDPW in March 2017, and subscribers are using the online management tool to find vetted, high quality training opportunities from 10 leading organizations and institutions. After completing trainings, they can manage their continuing education (CE) credits and print reports of their on-going education to show progress toward professional development goals.
 
To download the full 2017-18 PDPW Educational Program and Event Calendar, visit www.pdpw.org or contact PDPW at 1-800-947-7379.
 
Professional Dairy Producers (PDPW) is dairy’s professional 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.