For Immediate Release: January 14, 2008

Make Every Conversation Count at Dairy Summit
Joan Horbiak to lead session on speaking on key issues and answering difficult questions

BELLEFONT, Pa. – Whether it is while you’re standing in the check-out line at the local grocery store, on the sidelines of your child’s soccer game or in front of the local television station’s video camera, dairy farmers and industry professionals are asked to “stand up for dairy” on many occasions.  

Joan Horbiak, who is one of two opening speakers at the 2008 Pennsylvania Dairy Summit, held on Feb. 6 – 7 at the Lancaster Host Resort in Lancaster, Pa., will demonstrate to participants through her presentation and hands-on exercises in a breakout session how to make every conversation count when you’re talking about dairy. Horbiak is a nationally-known media expert who has helped to train American Dietetic Association’s spokespersons, as well as the media spokesperson representing the dairy checkoff program.

“You are the message” is Horbiak’s custom communications workshop designed to equip dairy producers and industry representatives with techniques to respond to dairy safety, environment, animal care and biosecurity issues arising today’s society. Those who have been through her session call it “fantastic” and “something we use every day in our daily lives.”

The Summit is hosted each year by the Professional Dairy Managers of Pennsylvania and the Pennsylvania Dairy Stakeholders as the premier dairy event in the state. Supporting partners include Penn State Dairy Alliance, the Center for Dairy Excellence and the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture. Horbiak is one of nine general session speakers who will address everything from the National Dairy Wellness Coalition to the outlook for U.S. agriculture to climbing Mt. Everest.

Two nationally- respected dairy producers – John Vrieze from Emerald, Wis., and Jonathan Lamb from Clarkfield, N.Y. – will speak at the 2008 Summit. These producers will provide a virtual tour of their dairy operations and share their insights on the opportunities and challenges that exist in today’s dairy industry.

Motivational speakers at the Summit include Alan Hobson, Everest summiteer and cancer survivor, and Bruce Christopher, comedian/psychologist who has spoken to many Fortune 500 groups. Well known farm radio personality Orion Samuelson will give an agricultural and economic outlook from his perspective.

Breakout sessions will address breeding for longevity, managing your herd based on cow-side psychology, succession planning, taking advantage of environmental credits and understanding the milk pricing system. A special breakout for young people attending the Summit will address career development.

The full cost to attend the two-day Summit is $175 per person, with a $100 discount available for all producers and their employees. The $100 discount is being provided by a Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry Grant through the Lancaster County Workforce Investment Board and gives dairy producers the opportunity to attend the event for $75, a 60-percent savings off the full registration cost. Additional discounts are available for multiple members attending from the same agri-business, and full scholarships are available for students and young adults ages 17 - 25 interested in attending the event.