Junior, Iowa State University Iowa Dairy Sales Intern with Alltech Based in Ames, Iowa Background Q. What is your agricultural background? My dairy background is quite unique. I did not grow up on a dairy farm, however, I have had a passion for showing dairy cattle since I was a clover kid. In about 7th grade I started working on my uncle’s dairy farm: feeding calves, painting buildings, cleaning pens and relief milking. I also pursued dairy judging in high school through the FFA. It was these programs that allowed me to fall in love with the industry.

Senior, Virginia Tech Dairy Genetics Intern with Genex Based in Shawano, Wisconsin Background Q. What is your dairy background? I’m the 6th generation to dairy on our land in East Tennessee and the 4th generation to own registered Jerseys. We have a 50-cow dairy on 300 acres, and I work with forage management and progeny marketing. We’ve always focused on good breeding and making the most economical use of our land, and recently we’ve taken advantage of genomics to send several bulls to stud and increase our national herd rank to 17th. Q. In what area are you pursuing a degree? I graduated from Vanderbilt University with a bachelor's of arts in ecology, evolution & organismal biology in the spring of 2011, and I’m currently a rising senior at Virginia Tech pursuing a second degree, this time a bachelor's of science in dairy science.

Junior, University of Wisconsin – Madison Progeny Promotions Intern with ABS Based in DeForest, Wisconsin Background Q. What is your dairy background? I don’t come from a dairy background, but with the help of my brother and many others I got involved in the dairy industry at an early age. Now my brother along with his wife and I own Car-Cor Holsteins and milk 65 cows since April 2011.

Senior, University of Wisconsin – Platteville Field Intern with Genex Based in Manitowoc, Wisconsin Background Q. What is your dairy background? I grew up on a registered Holstein dairy farm, Nagels Home of Holsteins in Valders, Wisconsin, with my parents Paul and Tammie and my three siblings. Here we milk 55 Holsteins, own 250 acres, and I personally own 21 head of Holsteins on my own. Q. In what area are you pursuing a degree? I'm majoring in animal science with a dairy and business emphasis.

Senior, University of Wisconsin – River Falls Genetic Management Systems (GMS) Intern with ABS Based in Deforest, Wisconsin Background Q. What is your dairy background? I grew up on my parents’ 50-cow registered Holstein dairy farm in north central Wisconsin. They helped me start my own herd at the age of five, and I have been building it up ever since.

Junior, University of Wisconsin – River Falls Field Intern for Genex Based in Hawano, Wisconsin Background Q. What is your agricultural background? I grew up on a 100-cow dairy. Q. In what area are you pursuing a degree? I am obtaining a major in dairy science management with a minor in ag business Q. What activities or associations are you involved in? I'm involved in the UWRF Dairy Club.

Junior, University of Wisconsin – River Falls Marketing and Communications Intern with Red & White Dairy Cattle Association Based in Clinton, Wisconsin Background Q. What is your dairy background? I’m the 20-year-old daughter of Mark and Linda Wright. My parents, along with my sister, Nicole, and I reside on a 300 acre, 200-head registered Holstein dairy farm in Johnson Creek, Wisconsin, in Jefferson County. I have been active in the dairy industry since I was five years old when my grandmother gave me my first calf to start my herd. Since then I have purchased other dairy cattle with deep pedigrees and utilized embryo transfer to increase my current herd.

Hometown: Born and raised in Riverdale, California My dairy background: I have one sister, Tricia, and my parents are Brad and Blair. When my great-great grandfather moved to the Riverdale and Laton area, he owned a small dairy farm milking about 50 cows. The dairy cows were sold long before I was born. But more than 130 years later, my parents still farm on the same land growing alfalfa hay, corn, wheat and walnuts.

Hometown: Sherwood, Oregon My dairy background: Although I was not raised on a dairy, dairy farming is in my blood and I have had a passion for the dairy industry for as long as I can remember. At the age of 10, I purchased my first Holstein heifer and had the opportunity to raise heifers and a couple of cows on my family’s small farm. My interest in agriculture was emphasized by my involvement in FFA as well as being an active member of the Oregon Junior Holstein Association.

Hometown: Two Rivers, Wisconsin, the birthplace of the ice cream sundae My dairy background: I am the fifth generation of my family’s 450-cow dairy farm, of which about 420 are registered Holsteins and 30 are registered Brown Swiss. I have an older sister (Beth) and younger sister (Erin) and my parents are Pete and Shellie Kappelman. I have been active in the dairy industry since I was a young boy – showing at local, district and state levels; dairy quiz bowl and dairy judging; and various leadership positions.