How Youth Leadership Programs Prepare the Next Generation of Dairy Industry Leaders

The future of the dairy industry doesn't begin when someone lands their first full-time job—it starts much earlier. It starts with learning how to speak up in a meeting, introduce yourself to someone new, solve problems under pressure, and build relationships that can shape an entire career.

Those are exactly the kinds of experiences the National Junior Holstein Association has been creating for generations.

In this episode of the Uplevel Dairy Podcast, Peggy Coffeen sits down with National Junior Holstein Association Junior Advisory Committee (JAC) members Ainsley from Pennsylvania, Cayden from Ohio, and Mykel from California to talk about how youth programs have shaped their confidence, leadership skills, and vision for the future of the dairy industry. Their stories are a reminder that while cattle may bring young people together, it's the personal growth that often leaves the biggest impact.

Leadership Starts Long Before Your Career

Leadership isn't something you suddenly develop after college. It's built through experiences that challenge you to step outside your comfort zone.

For Ainsley Sellers, those opportunities came through speaking contests, Dairy Bowl, Dairy Jeopardy, and eventually serving on the Junior Advisory Committee. Looking back, she credits those experiences with helping her become comfortable speaking in front of others and developing confidence she never imagined she'd have as a young member.

Mykel shared a similar journey. He remembers attending his first National Holstein Convention as a quiet kid who barely spoke to anyone outside his California delegation. Today, he's interviewing, networking, leading national conversations, and pursuing a career in agricultural communications—all because he continued saying yes to opportunities that stretched him.

Their stories are a reminder that confidence isn't something you're born with. It's something you build one experience at a time.

Why Networking Matters More Than Ever

One theme surfaced again and again throughout the conversation: relationships matter.

Whether they were talking about mentors, future employers, or lifelong friendships, each of the JAC members emphasized that one conversation can completely change the direction of your career.

Cayden talked about meeting people through Junior Holstein events who have become mentors and close friends. He encouraged younger members to introduce themselves, ask questions, and take advantage of every opportunity to connect with people throughout the industry.

Mykel echoed that message, explaining that the Holstein community has introduced him to leaders from every corner of the dairy industry—from genetics and record keeping to communications and business leadership. Every conversation has expanded his understanding of what a career in dairy can look like.

For young people entering agriculture today, networking isn't just about finding a job. It's about discovering possibilities they may not even know exist yet.

Learning Beyond the Show Ring

While showing cattle is often what first brings young people into organizations like Junior Holstein, the lessons extend far beyond the ring.

Interview contests teach professional communication. Public speaking develops confidence. Dairy Jeopardy encourages critical thinking under pressure. Leadership roles help young members learn how to organize events, solve problems, and serve others.

Those skills translate directly into future careers, regardless of whether someone becomes a veterinarian, nutritionist, dairy producer, communicator, educator, or pursues a profession outside of agriculture.

As the conversation made clear, these programs aren't simply preparing better showmen—they're preparing future leaders.

The Value of Learning from Different Perspectives

One of the most unique aspects of serving on the Junior Advisory Committee is the opportunity to learn from peers across the country.

Although Ainsley, Cayden, and Mykel all share a passion for Holstein cattle, they come from very different backgrounds. Their farms vary in size, geography, and management style. Yet those differences have become one of the greatest learning opportunities.

By hearing how other producers solve problems, manage herds, and approach the future of dairy, they gain perspectives they would never experience by staying within their own communities.

It's a reminder that the dairy industry is incredibly diverse—and that some of the best ideas come from simply listening to one another.

Mentorship Leaves a Lasting Impact

Each guest also reflected on dairy leaders who have influenced their journeys.

From employers who invested time teaching life lessons beyond cattle care, to Holstein staff members who encouraged them to pursue careers in agriculture, every mentor shared one common trait: they believed in young people before those young people fully believed in themselves.

That investment creates a ripple effect throughout the industry. Today's mentors are helping develop tomorrow's leaders.

Looking Ahead

As the conversation wrapped up, one thing became abundantly clear: the future of dairy is in good hands.

Whether their careers take them into communications, genetics, healthcare, reproduction, or back to their family farms, Ainsley, Caden, and Michael represent a generation eager to lead, learn, and continue serving an industry they love.

Organizations like the National Junior Holstein Association are doing far more than organizing contests—they're helping build the next generation of dairy leaders.

And judging by this conversation, that future looks incredibly bright.

To hear the complete discussion, stream now on Apple Podcasts or Spotify, or watch the full conversation on YouTube.