We each take different paths to the dairy industry, our farms or allied industry businesses. Some were born into a multigenerational dairy farm family and have known it was their calling from a young age. Others had the opportunity to engage in agriculture through 4-H, FFA, college or technical school studies.

My personal journey began in a rural area of central Mexico. My grandfather had a small farm with cows and sheep, but I preferred to spend my time under a tree reading a book instead of helping with animals. I spent my first two years in college studying business administration, then realized the need for professionals in the agricultural industry and switched my major to agronomy. My university had a partnership with the University of Wisconsin – Madison, and I had the opportunity to do a two-month professional practice in Wisconsin at Gold Star Dairy Farms. Not only was that the first time I saw a real dairy cow, but I also had the opportunity to learn from Deb Reinhart, Dave Geiser and their team about caring for animals and people. Their passion and commitment were inspiring.

After graduating from college, I worked for a Mexico-based dealer of a Wisconsin company that was just starting to export products to Mexico for the dairy industry. After five years, I moved to the U.S. under a TN visa as a professional worker, seeking to expand my horizons in dairy farming. I returned to Gold Star Farms as a calf manager and gained invaluable hands-on experience. Today, at Grotegut Dairy Farm, I oversee the daily operations of a 6,000-cow dairy, ensuring that our herd thrives and contributes to the production of high-quality milk for cheese.

Regardless of our path, we are all focused on building strong, sustainable businesses and communities, providing the best possible care for animals and natural resources, and producing a high-quality supply of milk for the world. Critical to achieving these goals is a commitment to education and continuous improvement of ourselves, our teams and our communities.

Rosario Ibarra started her dairy journey over 2,000 miles from where she calls home today. She serves as a board member for Dairy’s Foundation in addition to her role as general manager of Grotegut Dairy near Newton, Wisconsin. Image by Travis Cleven.

I gained a new perspective when I joined the board of directors of Dairy’s Foundation in 2024. I have always appreciated the value of educational programs, but now I have a behind-the-scenes perspective on the work required and the need to develop and fund innovative programs for our fast-paced industry.

For more than 20 years, Dairy’s Foundation has raised funds and awarded grants to support educational and sustainability initiatives for the dairy industry and those impacted by it. By sharing ideas, resources and experiences on critical issues, the Foundation ensures that both dairy producers and the public are well-informed and engaged.

Equipping dairy producers for success

Sustainability on our dairy farms starts with a solid foundation of animal care, productivity and profitability. Programs funded by Dairy’s Foundation provide dairy producers of all ages with the tools to improve the leadership and technical skills necessary to navigate the complexities of modern dairy farming.

For example, the Cornerstone Dairy Academy provides three pillars of communication and leadership skill training led by world-class experts that prepare participants to lead with confidence and competence. Professional Dairy Producers (PDP) Financial Literacy for Dairy is the only financial program designed for the dairy industry to give farmers and other professionals the tools and knowledge to make sound business decisions in today’s challenging economic environment. I’ve learned valuable information from both of these programs and graduated from Cornerstone in 2017 after completing all three pillars.

As a matter of fact, if it wasn’t for a friend sending me a flyer for the academy during my second year in the U.S., I don’t think I would’ve attended.

She said to me, “If you are serious about building a career in dairy, you must attend this program.”

When I read about the program, I told myself, “This is for real dairy people. I don’t have the correct background; I don’t even have the resources to apply.”

But I did, and I got the scholarship to attend. Because someone believed in me 12 years ago – and because of the contributions of donors – I was given an opportunity to change my life, and that's the reason I am where I am today.

A key element of many of these programs is providing simultaneous translation into Spanish to expand learning opportunities for more of our team members. Learning in the language one is most comfortable speaking allows team members to more effectively improve their technical skills. That positions them for personal growth and new opportunities on a farm.

The foundation is also focused on attracting and retaining the next generation of agriculturists, whether they have a farm background or not. High school- and college-age students benefit from Stride Youth Leadership Conference and the PDP Mentor Program, opportunities that afford students access to leadership training and networking with forward-thinking dairy producers. These programs build the skills necessary for students to chart their future as dairy producers or in allied industries.

Dairy’s Foundation also supports the Your Farm – Your Footprint initiative to help producers understand their farm’s environmental footprint and how it is calculated. All data remains confidential and participants receive practical recommendations on how to improve their score.

Ensuring dairy’s legacy

Dairy’s Foundation serves as a pivotal platform where the dairy community unites, collaborates and addresses the evolving needs of our sector. There are several ways to support the Foundation and our work, including the Two Cents for Tomorrow program, the annual Plant a Seed campaign or the silent auction during the PDP Business Conference. Learn more at the foundation's website.

Together, we can ensure that the legacy of dairy farming remains robust and that future generations inherit an industry poised for continued success. It is a legacy built on trust, education and a shared commitment to excellence – one that I am proud to be a part of and am confident will thrive for years to come.

Rosario Ibarra is the general manager at Grotegut Dairy in Newton, Wisconsin.

The above update is provided by the Professional Dairy Producers Foundation (Dairy's Foundation), which raises funds nationwide and awards grants and sponsorships for educational programs and initiatives that benefit the U.S. dairy community. Dairy's Foundation is committed to uniting the dairy community on issues of common concern to achieve its vision of a professional, proactive and prepared dairy community. Dairy’s Foundation was established by PDP in 2002. The Foundation is a 501(c)(3) entity.