The Center for Dairy Excellence got its roots as an organization grounded in the possibilities of a brighter, stronger future for Pennsylvania’s dairy industry and its individual dairy farms and businesses. This ability to start conversations, feed ideas, break down barriers, remove the blinders and grow opportunities where once only dreams existed is core to what we do to support our farms and the broader dairy industry. Our purpose is to provide support and resources that plant the seeds for tomorrow on our dairy farms and across the dairy sector. We do that by leaning into our values – adaptability, collaboration, leadership, legacy and stewardship – to dig in and drive real results across the dairy industry.

From helping one dairy farmer kickstart a wholesale ice cream business and helping legislators connect with a progressive dairy farm to refreshing the conversation about risk management and helping two farms find a workforce through our apprenticeship program, the center is grounded in real stories, real possibilities and real results.

As we begin 2026, take a look at some of the dairy farm families we have worked with who are staying grounded in the possibilities to move their farms forward.

Forging the path

To elevate dairy farm families and forge a future for their family business, the center offers several grant opportunities throughout the year. Whether these families are making a transformation or pursuing a new value-added venture – like Kacie Hershey of Ar-Joy Farms did when she kickstarted a wholesale ice cream business – we pair farms with experienced consultants who help them consider the possibilities and take the first steps.

“The Transformation Team Grant from the center helped us put a team of people together to talk about our options. We all had the same goal in mind but brought different perspectives to the table. There are so many different ways you can make ice cream. It made me think of things in a different way and consider things I hadn’t before – instead of me just diving into this with only a dream and ambition,” Hershey shared.

For dairy farm families who are navigating family dynamics and trying to build successful transition plans, we provide direct support and one-on-one consulting to help producers create a legacy for their family.

“By having an outside consultant through the Transition Team Grant, you have somebody who has gone through it. We all want the farm to be profitable – but at the same time, we all have our own ideas on how we want to do it. It was nice to have another perspective from a third party,” said Chad Hoover of Thousand Hill Dairy LLC in Cambria County, Pennsylvania.

While these grant programs ease the financial burden for many farm-level and business-related projects, they also give dairy farm families room to breathe. A new partnership with West Virginia University Institute for Community and Rural Health could help bring these opportunities to West Virginia dairy farmers in the coming year.

“Through the Center of Dairy Excellence, we have received four grants. While the days probably will not be shorter, with the automation these grants are helping to provide, the farm buys itself flexibility, resilience and room to actually breathe. Thank you for your unyielding support of farmers,” shared Emily Heffner of Jersey Acre Farms in Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania.

Cultivating connections

As a public-private partnership, the center serves as a catalyst for collaboration and connections. This past year, we helped connect Pennsylvania legislators directly to a progressive dairy farm through the Dairy Excellence Foundation’s “Adopt a Cow” program. After Rep. Emily Kinkead learned about the program’s impact on food literacy, she partnered with the center to help educate her fellow representatives on what happens on a dairy farm.

“We actually learned about what goes into raising dairy cows and what happens on a dairy farm for people who wouldn’t necessarily be able to actually get out to a farm in person. We got a lot of buy-in from staff as well, which was fun. I would get emails in response to the calf updates, saying ‘This is a great way to start the week. I love hearing about our calf,’” Rep. Kinkead shared.

The center also partners with the Professional Dairy Managers of Pennsylvania (PDMP) to host the annual PA Dairy Summit, which promotes industry-wide collaboration and professional development. Through a new collaboration with the Pennsylvania Association of Milk Dealers (PAMD), we launched a Dairy Processor Webinar series to spur discussion, collaboration and innovation across the dairy supply chain.

“My husband and I thought the PA Dairy Summit was useful. It was also refreshing to hear honesty about real struggles with dairy farming. It made me realize I am not alone in this battle of farming, and it was a bit therapeutic as our farm also is in the process of crawling its way out from some ‘dark days,’” shared Jan Roy, a Pennsylvania dairy producer who attended PA Dairy Summit.

Growing from the ground up

To cultivate a more skilled workforce, the center has grown our registered Dairy Herd Manager Apprenticeship and Dairy Laborer Pre-Apprenticeship programs from the ground up. With two apprentices currently working full time at the farm level, we are building the pipeline for young professionals to gain real-world, herd management experience without going to college.

“The apprenticeship was a great way to enhance our employee’s knowledge while growing her role on our farm. There are only so many hours in a day, so we cannot possibly expose her to everything she really needs to know about farming. Having the outside educational components [through the program] allowed her to expand her knowledge without taking any of our time. Our farm benefited as she took over a lot of the reproduction work and excelled,” shared Katie Sattazahn of Zahncroft Dairy in Berks County, Pennsylvania.

“I enjoy being able to learn on the farm and have people around me who also give me opportunities to go to different workshops, so I can continue to further my education that way. This apprenticeship is a great experience and I feel like I’m furthering my education without going to college,” said Rylee Fuller, an apprentice working on a dairy farm in Perry County, Pennsylvania.

Rylee Fuller (left) is pictured with the Comp family, who have employed her as a Dairy Herd Manager Apprentice. Image courtesy of the Center for Dairy Excellence.  

By hosting animal care workshops, partnering to offer discounts on courses that promote Spanish language skills and regularly sharing dairy job opportunities, the center focuses on helping producers be good stewards of their land, their animals and their workforce.

“I filled our herd manager position, and they heard about it through the center’s Dairy Job Opportunity page. I had a total of 10 people inquire about the position, and I seemed to have quite a few responses after you posted it to your channels. Thank you so much for your help,” shared Darwin, a Pennsylvania dairy farmer who utilized the job posting page.

Laying the groundwork 

With an ever-changing marketplace, the center has worked to expand the conversation around risk management and financial planning. Through our Protecting Your Profits (PYP) podcast and webinar series, we have amplified our partnerships with industry experts to bring a wider range of perspectives to the table – and help lay the groundwork for dairy producers to develop sound risk management strategies.

“As a dairy service provider, Lancaster DHIA appreciates the Protecting Your Profits series. It is an opportunity to gain understanding of the current challenges and opportunities our customers are facing. Dairy farmers have unique goals, and PYP provides helpful takeaways for everyone to benefit from. Professionals are sharing what they’re seeing in the field along with practical advice dairy farmers can put to use on their farms,” said Don DeHart, general manager at Lancaster DHIA.

With a website full of digital resources and a farmer-focused podcast series, the center is passionate about helping dairy producers develop confidence in their leadership abilities and business management skills.

“It’s comforting to know we’re not alone as we seek to be progressive and up-to-date on how we farm and produce food for the nation. If we have an issue, a question or need some input from a third party, the center is always there,” shared Jeff Nissley of Jubilee Dairy LLC in Dauphin County, Pennsylvania.

Jeff and Kendra Nissley have worked with the Center for Dairy Excellence on Transition Team Grants and Marketing & Branding Grants. Image courtesy of the Center for Dairy Excellence. 

Digging in

The center also works closely with the PA Department of Agriculture and industry partners to help dairy producers stay proactive with biosecurity to prevent the spread of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI).

“The collaboration between the Center for Dairy Excellence and the Department of Agriculture’s Bureau of Animal Health is a powerful example of what can be achieved when we work together. Facing the challenge of HPAI in dairy cattle – a new and potentially devastating threat to our industry – we united to provide dairy producers with critical biosecurity guidance and timely updates. This partnership has been essential in protecting herd health and safeguarding the integrity of our food supply,” shared Dr. Alex Hamberg, state veterinarian.

To dig in and confront this biosecurity threat head on, the center hosts industry conference calls, distributes physical biosecurity kits and creates signage for producers to display on their property.

“The biosecurity signs are perfect. What I like most about this sign is that it makes someone stop and think about where they are. The sign helps us bring awareness that there are much bigger things at play here and not necessarily risk any health problems,” shared Jake Rogers of Rogers Dairy LLC in Centre County, Pennsylvania. 

To learn more about the Center for Dairy Excellence and the resources we have available for dairy farm families, visit online.