PDP Mentor Program - Connections that Last

For Sam Peetz, the PDP Mentor Program was more than an addition to his college résumé. It was his connection to his career as a dairy producer.

While attending UW-Platteville, Peetz participated in the mentor program all four years. Encouraged by fellow dairy club members, he signed up to see different farms and meet people in the industry. What he gained was far more than networking and exposure.

The experience allowed him to observe a variety of dairy operations, meet producers across the industry and build connections that still matter today. In 2020, during his final year in the program, Peetz was paired with Rosy-Lane Holsteins. That relationship led to a job before graduation and, just a few years later, a partnership in the operation.

“I made a lot of connections and saw more than just Rosy-Lane,” Peetz said. “I was able to see how different people dairy farm. And today, I am here at Rosy-Lane making it my career, which was a good connection.”

Now serving as a mentor himself, Peetz sees the value of providing students with meaningful on-farm exposure.

“You have to have a way to get people exposed and on farm,” he said. “You never know if you meet someone looking for a job. It will never be a bad use of your time.”

For Peetz, the mentor program represents more than a stepping stone. It is a pathway for connection, growth and strengthening the future of dairy.

To view the entire profile, watch the whole video here.