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 from 20 states participating. The graduates of the Fellows Program become professionals in the dairy industry through industry-related careers and as 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 medicine, law, business, teaching, and research. The impact of the Dairy Fellows Program is to help young people better position themselves in the dairy industry and/or careers to improve dairy farm profitability, family standard of living, and leadership in the dairy industry.
impact statement issue
The dairy industry, the largest agricultural industry in the Northeast United States, needs to attract more young people with the knowledge, skills, and mind-set necessary to address the specialized careers in the industry.
impact statement response
The Cornell Dairy Fellows Program was designed for the students to gain knowledge and experiences that give them 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 statement summary
The Cornell Dairy Fellows Program is designed for students who are interested in careers related to the dairy industry. 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.
