BALLSTON SPA, N.Y. — The 4-H Dairy Visions program is a yearlong, regional program for 4-H youth between the ages of 14-16 who intend on pursuing a career in the dairy industry. The purpose of the program is to expose the youth to the many different career choices and entities that encompass the dairy industry. Youth participating in the program represent Washington, Saratoga, Rensselaer, Schoharie, Columbia, Greene, Fulton, Montgomery and Warren counties.
This year, 12 outstanding youth have been selected through an application process to participate in the Dairy Visions program. For their first meeting, the group met and visited with three different farms in the Capital Region. The farms that were visited were Wil Roc Farm of Kinderhook, NY, Dutch Hollow Farm of Schodack Landing, NY and Wagner Farms of Poestenskill, NY. At each farm, the group met and spoke with farm owners/managers. Hot topics on the farms included cow comfort, business expansions, genetics, milk quality, sustainability and new agricultural laws and legislation. One topic that all three farms discussed was the importance of building positive relationships with their neighbors and the non-agricultural community around them.
Over the course of this year’s program, participants will meet with dairy industry experts and go on farm tours and visits, meet with a dairy nutritionist, agribusiness agencies, participate in Dairy Discovery Days at Cornell University and discuss agriculture legislation as well as participate in out of state trips.
4-H is a youth development program of Cornell Cooperative Extension, linking resources of Cornell University to youth. We create a supportive learning environment in which diverse youth and adults reach their fullest potential as capable, competent and caring citizens. 4-H is open to all youth between the ages of 5-19. For more information about how to get involved in 4-H, contact your local Cornell Cooperative Extension Office.
–Cornell Cooperative Extension Saratoga County
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