Five Delaware Valley University students recently showcased their skills at the 22nd annual Northeast Regional Dairy Challenge in Plattsburgh, N.Y.

Hosted by The William H. Miner Agricultural Research Institute, this year’s event brought together 76 students from colleges and universities across the northeastern U.S. and Canada.

The Dairy Challenge is an innovative, three-day educational competition designed to prepare students for careers in the dairy industry. Working in mixed-university teams of four or five students, participants assessed all aspects of a working dairy farm, including facilities, nutrition, financials, reproduction, animal health, and more. Students collaborated on a 20-minute team presentation that detailed their observations and suggestions to a panel of judges and participating farm families. Teams were ranked based on how closely their evaluations matched judges’ assessments of the dairy operation.

DelVal’s team included Isabella Anderson, Nellie Hankinson, Lauren Ross, Maia Sudler, and Samantha Zazulak. Additionally, Isabella Johnson also contributed as a social media intern. The team was coached by professors Joanne Powell and Dr. Ivelisse Robles.

In between events, students traveled across the street to visit the Miner Institute’s Research Farm, where they participated in a career fair featuring dairy industry employers and took facility tours. Students had the chance to network with potential employers, having submitted resumes along with their registration materials. Social and team-building activities, including a Friday night dinner with entertainment by a local improv group, offered students with a break after intensive data analysis and presentation preparations.

Delaware Valley University’s participation was made possible through grant funding from the PA Dairymen’s Association and the Northeast Agricultural Education Foundation, as well as private donations.

Learn more about how Delaware Valley University educates students with a curriculum that emphasizes and requires experiential learning.