With eyes on the future of the dairy industry, DeLaval presented an $18,200 donation to the National 4-H Council to support the National 4-H Dairy Conference during their 2017 World Dairy Expo event. This support will enhance programs and leadership opportunities for 4-H youth in the coming year.
“We are proud to be able to support the next generation of farmers,” says Fernando Cuccioli, Vice President of Market Area North America for DeLaval. “Forward-thinking opportunities like this fit right into the vision of DeLaval – to make sustainable food production possible.”
DeLaval has been a sponsor of the youth dairy conference for more than three decades and is strengthening its commitment to supporting future generations of dairy producers and professionals. For the second year, the sponsorship was enhanced through sales of select milk quality solutions in the United States and Canada. The 2017 donation was increased by more than $3,000 over the previous year. Money was also raised for Canadian 4-H youth at Canada’s Outdoor Farm Show 2017 with the company donating a portion of its ice cream proceeds.
Conference organizers plan to use the donation to strengthen next year’s conference attendance, award scholarships and find more high-merit speakers to engage with participants. “Thanks to the generosity of DeLaval, we’ll be able to keep strengthening our endowment fund and in turn, sustain the conference long-term,” says Rel Seykora, National 4-H Dairy Conference Secretary. “It’ll have a lasting impact on the youth attending the conference.”
With many 4-H alumni employees, the 4-H mission is near and dear to the heart of DeLaval. Cuccioli says he’s seen leadership, responsibility and communication skills carry into the careers of those colleagues. “4-H helps prepare youth for successful careers in the dairy industry and teaches valuable life lessons. We want to do our part to develop the dairy community in a positive way.”
More than 190 youth from across North America attended the 2017 National 4-H Dairy Conference, Oct. 1-4. DeLaval was the highest-level sponsor of the event, which is held each year in Madison, Wis., during World Dairy Expo. The conference allows leading dairy youth from across North America to interact with one another and build bridges that will last well into the future.