Since this association was started one goal has been to ensure the sustainability of the dairy industry by getting the next generation to continue the dairy farming heritage. For many years those efforts have involved encouraging ag students to have a real-life farm experience through a summer internship with a PDMP member. These internships also help the dairy producers establish a pool of potential permanent employees, making it a win/win situation.

Last year the program was ramped up by establishing financial grants for students who participate in an internship on a progressive dairy farm. The grant is significant because the student can use it to supplement whatever income the farm is able to provide. That means a student may be able to accept an internship at a farm instead of a higher paying post someplace else. Knowing the student has grant income also means a wider range of farms can consider becoming involved in an internship program.

In 2010 PDMP supported internships by providing $2,000 grants to each of the following Pennsylvania residents who are majoring in dairy related subjects:

• Rebecca Fultz of Townville, PA, who interned at Campbell Farms, Elizabethville, PA
• Abbie Kuhlman of Rome, PA, who interned at Vine Valley Farm, Rushville, NY
• BillieJo LaVan of Home, PA, who interned at Jewart Dariry, Home, PA
• Felicia Pipe of Millerton, PA, who interned at Maple Knoll Farm, Lawrenceville, PA
• Peter Yoder of Belleville, PA, who interned at Nyman Brothers Dairy, Hilmar, CA

Finding farms willing to accept an intern is a key component of this effort. The internships are arranged individually by the student and/or his or her academic advisor. We must rely on dairy farmers to let schools know that you are interested in having a student work with you and learn from you this summer. Producers that have previously participated in an internship report that the students are highly motivated and eager to gain experience.

Students are setting up their summer plans now. PDMP members are strongly encouraged to make direct contact with the following to let them know you are willing to discuss an internship on your farm this summer. Each of these academic leaders has received information about the PDMP Internship Grant Program to share with their students:

• Chad Dechow, Penn State – cdd1@psu.edu
• Larry Morris, Delaware Valley College – larry.morris@delval.edu
• Beth E. Kenne, Morrisville State College– keenebe@morrisville.edu
• David Galton, Cornell – dmg20@cornell.edu
• John Tryon, SUNY College of Agriculture and Technology at Cobleskill – tryonj@cobleskill.edu
• Mike Akers, Virginia Tech - dascinfo@vt.edu
• Dorothea Fitzsimmons, Alfred State in NY - FitzsiDD@alfredstate.edu

Past interns have told us the program had a powerful impact on their future and they expressed their sincere gratitude to the PDMP members who made it possible for them to have such a worthwhile experience. You can make a big difference in someone’s life and you may find the person who will become a future member of your team. Click here for guidelines for applicants, and the 2011 Student Internship Grant Application.

Internship grants are not limited to students attending Pennsylvania schools or interning on PDMP member farms, but the applicant must be a resident of this state.

This service is supported in part by PDMP’s Premier Partners: Acuity Advisors and CPAs; AgChoice Farm Credit; Cargill, Inc.; Elanco Animal Health; Lancaster Dairy Farm Automation; Lancaster DHIA; Land O’Lakes; Pennfield Dairy Profitability Team; Pfizer Animal Health; Pioneer Hi-Bred; T.A. Seeds, and Triple H Construction