In less than 40 years, there will be 9.3 billion people on this earth. And, obviously, those people need to be fed. But 2050 will also mean less land, less water and likely a continued unstable world economy. That's where technology in the agricultural industry comes into play, and it's why Alltech chose the theme, "Feeding the World," for its 2011 lecture tour series.

Michael Schutz, professor of animal sciences at Purdue University, has been involved with the North American Intercollegiate Dairy Challenge for several years. He co-teaches a course with Tamilee Nennich called "Dairy Farm Evaluation," which is comparable to the Dairy Challenge events. Schutz shared with Progressive Dairyman a story of a student who came to Purdue without an ag background but with a passion for dairy. Here's our interview with that student — Michele Jones (pictured at right) — who is now working in the dairy industry, thanks in large part to the Dairy Challenge program.