Progressive Dairy Managers

Progressive Dairy Managers Educational Grant Application

This Grant recognizes dairy managers who have introduced and applied effective management and business practices that have helped to achieve a more profitable dairy business. These managers must also demonstrate leadership and/or active roles in dairy organizations like milk cooperatives, dairy promotion committees, professional dairy producers groups, 4-H, FFA, DHIA, A.I. cooperatives, or other non-breed related dairy organizations. With this grant, National Dairy Shrine hopes to motivate and encourage other dairy managers to achieve similar goals by creating awareness of the successes of the dairy managers being recognized.

Open to an individual, couple, owner, or operating partners that have a managerial role on a dairy operation. The nominee(s) must be an active dairy manager within the ages of 21-50 years at the time of the application due date. The application can be completed by the individual or by another person who supports the applicant’s nomination. This application does not require the herd to have any breed registered animals. Applicants do not need to be members of National Dairy Shrine, however, if the recipient is not a member they will be encouraged to join National Dairy Shrine.

One Grant will be given annually in each of the following areas: • Progressive Dairy Manager milking 300 cows or less or managing 500 heifers or less • Progressive Dairy Manager milking more than 300 cows or managing over 500 heifers

The recipient in each category will receive a travel grant to use for a National Dairy Shrine approved educational event in the value of $2000 ($1500 at the time of the trip and $500 when the post trip evaluation form is submitted to NDS) An educational event can include management conferences, trade shows, seminars or dairy herd visits to gain knowledge or new ideas to implement in their dairy operation.

Winners will be recognized at the Annual National Dairy Shrine Awards Banquet.

This form is the official application, Please include all of the information requested on this application form. All Nominations are due March 15.

Instructions for applying: 1. Download this application and type in your responses. Save the file as Progressive.NomineesLastName.NomineesFirstName.doc. Please email this form and also have the 2 letters of support sent to [email protected].

2. Or send the nomination and supporting information to: National Dairy Shrine PO Box 725 Denmark, WI 54208 Phone: 920-863-6333 Nomination Submitted by: Name: Address: Telephone: Email: Progressive Manager Application (Page 1)

1. Personal Data

Applicant(s)

Last Name ______First Name ______M Initial __ Birthday______

Last Name ______First Name ______M Initial __ Birthday ______

Dairy Business Address ______

Phone Number: ______Cell Number ______

Email Address ______

Children’s Names (For family or multiple-partners please specify parent’s names with children’s names)

Dairy Business Structure Single Owner ___ Partnership ___ Corporation ___ LLC ___

Current Herd Size ______OR Current Calf or Heifer Management Numbers ______

Management Job Title ______

Job Description:

2. Dairy Industry Activities (List your involvement in dairy and/or agricultural organizations. DO NOT include any breed related organizations. Please name organizations, positions held, and any award(s) received. Additional space may be added if needed.) Year Organization Office/Award 3. Local Community Activities (List your involvement in community and/or civic organizations. Please name organizations, positions held, and any honor(s) received. Additional space may be added if needed.) Year Organization Office/Award

4. Dairy Business Operation Description and Management

A. Provide a brief description of the dairy operation and business structure. (less than 100 words)

B. Provide the important herd benchmarks that you use to monitor your management area of the dairy herd or heifer or calf raising operations (less than 200 words)

5. Dairy Business Goals and Practices

A. Explain your overall management strategies and goals for positioning your area of the dairy for the future. (less than 500 words)

B. How has the operation progressed over recent years as a result of your managerial skills and allocation of farm resources? (less than 500 words) 6. What educational event, conference or seminar are you going to attend to utilize these grant dollars? (200 words or less)

7. References Please provide two (2) references in support of your application that have a working knowledge of your dairy operation (i.e. financial representative, veterinarian, Extension/University personnel, consultant, nutritionist, etc.) Included with this application are questions for your references to respond to as well as the National Dairy Shrine address for the submission of the reference letter. Please ask your references to submit their letters directly to National Dairy Shrine. Note: March 15th is the deadline date.

Reference 1: Name Address City State Zip Email

Reference 2: Name Address City State Zip Email

Applicant(s): Please give this last page of directions to each person listed as a reference. National Dairy Shrine Progressive Dairy Manager Educational Grant Reference Letter

Reference Provider: Your Letter of Reference should address the following questions:

1. Describe the integrity and character of the applicant(s), including leadership skills, hospitality to others, and the appearance of the dairy.

2. Describe your working relationship with the applicant(s) and how long you have known/worked with them and in what capacity.

3. In what specific dairy management areas does the applicant(s) excel? Does the applicant have leadership roles in the dairy industry or community?

Please submit your reference letter by March 15 directly to: [email protected] or mail to

National Dairy Shrine PO Box 725 Denmark, WI 54208