Cornell Dairy Fellows Program graduates agricultural professionals

2007 Impact statement
  • Galton, David Malcolm

abstract

The Cornell Dairy Fellows Program is designed for students who are interested in dairy industry related careers. Approximately 140 students participate in the Fellows Program each year. The program integrates a set of courses addressing the disciplines in the industry, industry and farm visits, in-depth farm analysis, seminars with industry leaders, industry conferences, exchange programs, international trips and summer internships in dairy related careers. These experiences allow students to apply their knowledge, skills and mind-set in multiple real-life situations.

submitted by

issue being addressed

The dairy industry, the largest agricultural industry in the Northeast U.S., needs to attract more young people with the knowledge, skills and mind-set that are necessary to address the specialized careers in the industry.

response

The Cornell Dairy Fellows Program was designed for the students to gain knowledge and experiences in order for them to have an in-depth and broad understanding of agriculture and the dairy industry. Areas include: science, management, business, personal and professional development, international and national experiences and understanding, applied research, and societal issues relating to agriculture and the dairy industry. Students are challenged to prepare and position themselves for successful careers including leadership roles in their communities and industry.

impact assessment

The Cornell Dairy Fellows Program encourages many students to enter careers in the dairy industry. Currently the Fellows Program is the largest dairy industry program in the country with 140 students participating and the students represent 20 states. The graduates of the Fellows Program become professionals in the dairy industry by direct participation in industry related careers and leaders in various organizations. Over 60 percent of the students enter production agricultural careers compared to 15 to 20 percent at other land-grant universities; 20 percent enter the finance and nutrition fields and the remaining students enter professional schools for training in veterinary medicince, law, business, teaching, and research. The impact of the Dairy Fellows Program is to help young people to better position themselves in the dairy industry and/or careers in order to improve dairy farm profitability, family standard of living and leadership in the dairy industry.

academic priority area

has geographic focus

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key personnel

  • Michael VanAmburgh
  • Tom Overton

department, unit, division

mission focus

From CALS annual faculty reporting. Imported on August 5, 2008