September 17, 2025
 
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Shelly Mayer
800-947-7379
mail@pdpw.org
 
Program Flier
Program Logo
Photo of students at Stride [caption at end of PR]
 
 
PDP Stride Calls High School Students to Youth Leadership Conference
Leadership training, campus experiences and hands-on workshops set for November 12, 2025
 
DAIRY NEWS – As agriculture and dairy industries evolve to meet the needs of a growing world population, so do the career opportunities in these critical sectors. The 2025 Stride^™ Youth Leadership Conference, presented by Professional Dairy Producers^® (PDP), is designed to give high school students insights into career possibilities while building on their communications and leadership skills for future success.
 
The 2025 Stride conference qualifies as an “above the chapter level” activity for FFA members and will be held on the University of Wisconsin-River Falls campus Wednesday, November 12. The interactive, full day program will bring together leadership development training, hands-on experiences in calf-health diagnostics as well as a campus tour. A career connections activity will give students one-on-one introductions to the wide variety of career options in agriculture today and the future.
 
“In every segment of agriculture, we need the best and brightest of the next generation to bring their ideas and enthusiasm so we can continue growing,” said Amber Keel, PDP Program Coordinator. “Attending Stride is a great way for students to build leadership skills and learn about career options in agriculture and food production, including careers as producers, scientists, engineers, communicators, technicians and much more. There are truly opportunities for everyone.”
Michael Hoffman, founder and owner of Igniting Performance, Inc., will facilitate the leadership development sessions. He will present key concepts to boost confidence when speaking and offer strategies to develop an authoritative presence that exudes clarity and influence. Students will also interact with UW-River Falls experts and graduate students through lab experiences that highlight opportunities for those with an interest in agriculture or the dairy industry.
 
The conference is designed for students ages 15 to 18. Registration includes training materials, meals and a Stride t-shirt. Registration is due Sunday, November 2. Upon registration, a health form and waiver will be sent to a parent/guardian for a signature. This signed waiver is required for each student. Students will be chaperoned at all times.
 
To learn more and to register, visit www.PDPW.org or contact PDP at 800-947-7379. Follow along digitally in advance of and during the event by following @dairyPDPW on Facebook, Instagram, X, and LinkedIn.
 
Professional Dairy Producers® (PDP) is the nation's largest dairy producer-led organization of its kind, focusing on producer professionalism, stakeholder engagement and unified outreach to share ideas, solutions, resources and experiences that help dairy producers succeed.
 
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PHOTO CAPTION:
 
Attendees of 2024 PDP Stride, held at UW-Platteville, engage in an activity aimed at building leadership skills.