Harrisburg – The Center for Dairy Excellence Foundation of Pennsylvania was awarded two grants to support educational resources for Pennsylvania’s dairy industry. The Pennsylvania Dairymen’s Association awarded the Center Foundation $20,000, while the Land O’Lakes Foundation presented $5,000 to support development of these resources.
“We are pleased that both of these organizations recognized the need for meaningful and relevant educational resources to support current and future dairy farm business owners in Pennsylvania,” said John Frey, executive director of both the Center for Dairy Excellence and the Center Foundation. “Their contribution will help the foundation develop a long-term funding source to support education in the industry.”
The Center for Dairy Excellence Foundation of Pennsylvania was established in 2011 as a charitable 501(c)(3) organization to support educational initiatives that grow and sustain the Pennsylvania dairy industry. The foundation provides the opportunity for individuals and organizations to make tax-deductible contributions to support educational initiatives within Pennsylvania’s dairy industry.
In May, the Center Foundation’s board of directors identified four priority areas, including youth development, continuing education, consumer outreach and market development. “The board recognized that, to continue to succeed in our industry, dairy farm families must continue to become more knowledgeable of market dynamics and best management practices in business. Supporting resources for youth development and continuing education can help fulfill that need,” said Frey.
The Dairymen’s Association was initially formed in 1871 to promote the general welfare of the dairy foods industry in Pennsylvania. The organization awards grants periodically throughout the year to support dairy promotion, education and programming. The grants are awarded from funds raised by milkshake and other product sales at various events, such as the Pennsylvania Farm Show in Harrisburg, Pa.
The Land O’Lakes Foundation is committed to improving the quality of life in communities where the cooperative has members, employees, plants and facilities. The Foundation helps rural communities prosper and prepare for tomorrow by donating resources that develop and strengthen organizations dedicated to human services, education and youth, civic activities and the arts. Each year, Land O’Lakes designates 2 percent of its pre-tax profits to charitable giving and works with its members and employees to identify needs in their communities.
More information regarding the Center for Dairy Excellence Foundation of Pennsylvania, its core objectives and how to contribute can be found online at www.centerfordairyexcellence.org or by contacting the Center for Dairy Excellence at 717-346-0849 or by emailing Emily Yeiser, Dairy Initiatives Manager, at eyeiser@centerfordairyexcellence.org.
The Center for Dairy Excellence is a non-profit organization initiated by the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture in 2004. Bringing together people from more than 40 different dairy organizations in Pennsylvania, the center’s mission is to enhance the profitability of the dairy industry by empowering people, creating partnerships, and increasing the availability and use of resources. Learn more about the center at www.centerfordairyexcellence.org.
Source: The Center for Dairy Excellence
