Women in Dairy

Cow care, technology and teaching moments: A conversation with Alberta dairy farmer Karen

Mon, 01 Jun 2026 00:00:00 -0400

Karen didn’t always think she would end up in agriculture, even as she was surrounded by it growing up. Life experiences and encouragement from her father gave her the push to go into a successful career in nursing. Now, farming full-time, she draws upon the nursing skills she gained.

Nicole Morris blends farming, teaching and digital advocacy

frances@agproud.com — Mon, 26 Jan 2026 16:00:37 -0500

An open mind to listen to others’ advice may steer you in the direction of a lifetime. Taking others’ advice led Nicole Morris to become a dairy science instructor at Modesto Junior College (MJC) as well as grow her social media platform beyond Instagram and into Tik Tok. Morris juggles those passions along with running J&M Dairy with her husband, Johnny.

Laura Hernandez: Mentor, researcher and leader

frances@agproud.com — Wed, 01 Oct 2025 00:00:00 -0400

Laura Hernandez would not be where she is today if it was not for the support or guidance of her parents. They always told her to never give up and believe in what she can accomplish. Hernandez was consistently reminded that if you work hard, you can make it happen.

A safer farm makes a stronger farm: Virginia dairy wife creates emergency kits

frances@agproud.com — Mon, 01 Sep 2025 00:00:00 -0400

Katie Hammock has been passionate about the medical field for a long time and wanted to bridge that passion with her deep-rooted background in dairy farming. Hammock made this possible when she created emergency farm kits to sell to farmers. Her mission grew to educate, equip and empower farm families.

From the dairy farm to Victory Circle: Two dairywomen step into key roles at the Indianapolis 500

kimmi@agproud.com — Sat, 19 Jul 2025 00:00:00 -0400

“This is the most amazing thing I’ve ever been part of. The energy in Victory Circle was electric,” says Abbie Herr, veteran milk presenter. “Everyone was so excited. This was Álex’s first Indy 500 win, and it was so cool to be part of that. You never really think about an IndyCar driver and a dairy farmer being in the same circle. It’s so hard to describe it. It’s been a whirlwind.”

Ruth Klossner's Moo-seum of cow items

audrey@agproud.com — Thu, 22 May 2025 00:00:00 -0400

In a quiet corner of Minnesota, in a home bursting at the seams, lives the Guinness World Record holder for the largest collection of cow-related items. What began as a simple admiration for dairy cows has transformed into a one-of-a-kind collection that spans over 21,805 unique items and fills every room of Ruth Klossner’s house.

3 Open Minutes with Shawna Nelson

kimmi@agproud.com — Thu, 08 May 2025 00:00:00 -0400

Organic Valley recently named Shawna Nelson as its new CEO. Progressive Dairy Editor Kimmi Devaney interviewed Nelson to learn about her background, vision for the cooperative and current state of the organic dairy sector.

What do the next 20 years of dairy look like?

ebarge@centerfordairyexcellence.org — Wed, 16 Apr 2025 00:00:00 -0400

At Penn State Extension’s Women in Dairy Conference held on Nov. 19, Joanna Shipp, a seventh-generation dairy farmer from Virginia and chair of the National Dairy Promotion and Research Board, reflected on what the next 20 years of dairy could look like in the U.S.

Lessons in grit, grace and change from Katie Coyne

mpayn@causematters.com — Fri, 31 Jan 2025 00:00:00 -0500

Stress often accompanies change because humans aren’t naturally adept at it. Since change is constant in our business (and lives), it is wise to identify how you can control your reaction to it. Katie Coyne knows this all too well. She is a well-known showmanship judge, owner of Mill Wheel Show Clinics and former Progressive Dairy editor.

Minglewood Dairy combines tradition and innovation for premium milk quality

audrey@agproud.com — Wed, 01 Jan 2025 00:00:00 -0500

Ever since 1894, Minglewood Dairy has upheld a tradition of exceptional care for their cows and land, evolving significantly over the past 130 years.

Progressive Events: DGN national conference empowers dairywomen to connect, inspire and achieve

karen@agproud.com — Tue, 03 Dec 2024 00:00:00 -0500

The Dairy Girl Network (DGN) celebrated its 10th anniversary at its biennial Forward TogetHER National Conference, Nov. 5-7, in Kansas City, Missouri. Dairywomen, and a few men, from across the industry gathered to connect, inspire and acheive through networking, interactive sessions and thought-provoking presentations.

[Podcast] Dreaming big with first-generation Canadian dairy farmer Suz Brouwer

Tue, 18 Jun 2024 00:00:00 -0400

This Progressive Dairy Podcast guest hails from Prince Edward Island and has made her mark on the Canadian dairy industry as a first-generation dairy farmer. Host Matti McBride chats with Suz Brouwer about her dream of owning a dairy, her work to acquire one and the lessons learned along the way.

[Podcast] ‘Bringing the world to the farm’ with Hayley Painter

Wed, 05 Jun 2024 00:00:00 -0400

Listed on Forbes 30 Under 30, dairy farmer, dog mom and businesswoman Hayley Painter joins host Matti McBride to tell the story of Painterland Sisters Organic Skyr Yogurt. Learn about Painter’s youth on an organic dairy farm in rural Pennsylvania, where the idea to diversify the family business came from and how Hayley continues working alongside her family.

Painterland Farms: ‘Bringing the world to the farm’

matti@agproud.com — Thu, 23 May 2024 00:00:00 -0400

When Stephanie and Hayley Painter were growing up in rural Pennsylvania, they didn’t think they had a unique lifestyle. Born and raised on an organic dairy farm in Tioga County, the pair grew up milking cows, feeding calves, running barefoot, working alongside siblings, aunts, uncles and cousins, and enjoying the rolling hills of the Northeast.

From farm to page: Dairy mom writes children's books

audrey@agproud.com — Fri, 01 Mar 2024 00:00:00 -0500

For years, Chase Pagel of Pagel’s Ponderosa Dairy told herself she should write a children’s book about her daughter’s Jersey steer, Rosco, who loved to eat pink Pop-Tarts.

[Podcast] Lorilee Schultz: Industry leadership, dairy advocacy, genetics

Tue, 16 Jan 2024 00:00:00 -0500

In this episode, host Kimmi Devaney and Illinois dairy producer Lorilee Schultz from Mil-R-Mor Farm discuss leadership, genetics, advocacy, opportunities for women in dairy and much more.

First-generation dairy farmer 'living the dream'

matti@agproud.com — Thu, 21 Dec 2023 00:00:00 -0500

Suz Brouwer captions every one of her social media posts with #dreambig, and with good reason – her dream of owning and operating her own dairy farm has come true after 20 years of hard work.

Hailey Pipher: ‘She likes milk’ and advocating for the dairy industry

matti@agproud.com — Mon, 18 Dec 2023 00:00:00 -0500

Hailey Pipher’s Instagram bio reads, “Food lover, milk drinker, sort of a recipe follower.” If you’re still curious about Pipher’s dietary tendencies, her Instagram handle is @shelikesmilk, and her account is a living testament to the statement.

From dairy exhibitor at the county fair to published author

Fri, 29 Sep 2023 00:00:00 -0400

Tenth-grade Georgia student Emma Pitman’s exposure to the dairy industry in middle school and FFA was her inspiration for writing a book, Just a Glass of Milk: The Story of a Girl and her Dairy Cow.

Podcast connects parenting and farming together

Mon, 18 Sep 2023 00:00:00 -0400

Growing up on a farm and then raising kids on one can be challenging, yet ultimately rewarding. This was the inspiration behind the creation of a podcast by dairy farmer Arlene Hunter and beef and sheep farmer Caite Palmer.

MilkPEP’s campaign focuses on female runners

Fri, 15 Sep 2023 00:00:00 -0400

“When only 7% of the United States $30 billion spent globally on sponsorships is directed toward sportswomen, we need change,” Milk Processor Education Program (MilkPEP) CEO Yin Woon Rani says.

How farming prepared me for motherhood

brittany.statzolson@gmail.com — Fri, 08 Sep 2023 14:43:50 -0400

Spoiler alert: It did not.
I sincerely thought I had a leg up on the non-farming set of expectant mothers with my experience caring for lactating animals that had the same gestational length as me. I really, truly did.

Progressive Events: British Columbia dealer hosts Dairy Women’s Summit

dveeneman@inbarn.com — Thu, 18 May 2023 00:00:00 -0400

Around 100 women participated in the event this year, which focused on celebrating women in the dairy industry and providing an opportunity for them to share their stories and connect with their industry colleagues.

Resilient leadership drives lasting impact

Mon, 16 Jan 2023 00:00:00 -0500

As I reflect on my career working for America’s dairy farmers, it’s important to know that it began with a single, deeply entrenched personal premise:

Dairy wife designs durable farm workwear

audrey@agproud.com — Mon, 31 Oct 2022 08:12:18 -0400

Nicole Toebes met her husband, Ross, milking cows part-time on a dairy farm in Ontario. As time progressed, they were married and Ross took a herdsman position on a 500-cow dairy.

2.3 million students nationwide adopt farmers' dairy cows

Sat, 22 Oct 2022 10:20:07 -0400

The Adopt A Cow program, created by the Dairy Excellence Foundation, is helping to bring dairy education into the classroom while building trusted relationships with local dairy farmers.

Dairy Girl Network: Empowering women and the dairy industry overall

Sat, 22 Oct 2022 10:12:14 -0400

Laura Daniels serves as founder and president of the Dairy Girl Network, an organization dedicated to inspiring women and cultivating connections in the dairy industry.

Expanding your talent pool in a tight labor market

julie_abrahamzon@cargill.com — Fri, 21 Oct 2022 14:20:07 -0400

Hiring practices for reaching and attracting female candidates to work for you and build your dairy’s workforce and management team.

Opening up the $9 billion dollar sports drink industry to dairy

Tue, 13 Sep 2022 12:32:26 -0400

Michelle McBride combines her passions for fitness and health with a new milk-based sports drink.

Wheyward Spirit: Harnessing the power of whey

Fri, 02 Sep 2022 00:00:00 -0400

“Waste is not waste; it is just a gap in the food system,” according to the Wheyward Spirit website.