Iowa Youth Dairy Coalition
Youth Dairy Coalition is hosted every year by the Dairy Science Club for youth ages 9 to 18 who are interested in the dairy industry. The club members serve as chaperones and mentors to the youth for the weekend event. Youth Dairy Coalition events include a farm tour, dairy quiz bowl, and many other fun activities! This is a great opportunity for youth across Iowa to meet, network with their peers, and explore the dairy industry.
Contact: Josie Kintzle (jkintzle@iastate.edu) or Isabelle Brumm (ibrumm@iastate.edu)
Food at First
Food at First is a free meal program in Ames that serves meals to the less fortunate seven days a week. Once a month, at the First Christian Church in Ames, we make an evening meal for anyone who is hungry. The club prepares the meal, serves the meal, and cleans up after the meal. It is a great way to help people around the community and for club members to bond with each other.
Contact: Jadyn Beland (jbeland@iastate.edu)
Animal Learning Day/IMAC (I Milked A Cow)
Every year the Dairy Science Club sets up a booth during the Iowa State Fair to teach the public how to milk a cow by hand. This event draws in people from around the country and the globe. Each year we educate almost 5,000 people about the dairy industry while helping them milk a cow! During the state fair, our members lead parlor talks and work closely with the Boulevard of Dairy Breeds, where our IMAC cows showcase the Jersey breed. It is also one of our largest club fundraisers and a family favorite at the Iowa State Fair.
Contact: Joie Gaustad (joieg@iastate.edu), Taylor Nelson (taylorsn@iastate.edu), or Elle Ruffner (relle@iastate.edu)
Education
The education committee reaches out to community schools in Ames and surrounding communities in Iowa. We participate in STEM Nights at local elementary schools, school field trips to the ISU Dairy Farm, Adopt-A-Calf Program, and will also go to classrooms and teach for a day upon the request of a school. The group's main goal is to help share with the public about the hard-working people who are devoted to making delicious and nutritious products for consumers.
Contact: Harley Baumler (hbaumler@iastate.edu) or Rachel Gross (grossr@iastate.edu)
Cardinal and Gold Classic / Iowa Dairy Producers Luncheon
In the fall of 2021, the Dairy Science Club was approached by the Iowa State University Dairy Farm about assisting in selling and marketing the farm’s excess heifers. After a successful sale in March of 2022, the Dairy Science Club has continued to hold consignment sales with the proceeds going to benefit the Dairy Science Club, the ISU Dairy Judging Team, and the team that represents Iowa State at the National Dairy Challenge Contest. The Dairy Science Club appreciates your ongoing support of continuation of the sale.
The Iowa Dairy Producers Luncheon is held in conjunction with the Cardinal and Gold Classic to promote continued learning for dairy producers, students, and dairy-focused professionals. Past focuses of the luncheon include dairy technology, mastitis and udder health, and dairy youngstock management. As the industry continues to evolve, this committee will have changing roles, including assisting with Cattle Congress.
For inquiries about the Cardinal and Gold Classic, Iowa Dairy Producers Luncheon, or other industry-related involvement, please reach out.
Contact: Joseph Achen (jachen@iastate.edu) and Claire Betley (clbetley@iastate.edu)
Yearbook
Each year, the Dairy Science Club distributes a yearbook highlighting events and accomplishments to current club members and alumni. Our club Historian writes stories, selects photographs, designs pages, and gathers sponsors so that each moment of the club's history is captured. Yearbooks are given out for free to all members, sponsors, and others interested.
Contact: Dannie Burkle (burkled@iastate.edu)