Developing tomorrow’s industry leaders

RIVER FALLS, Wis. — Legislation first introduced in 2019 led to the creation of the Dairy Innovation Hub, a Wisconsin endeavor that bolsters the state’s dairy industry through support of research and development.

Today, over $7.8 million in state spending fortifies the program, providing funding for more than 260 dairy-related research projects at University of Wisconsin campuses in Madison, Platteville and River Falls.

Dairy industry enthusiasts gathered at the University of Wisconsin-River Falls Nov. 18 for the Dairy Innovation Hub Summit meeting, which showcased research and educational experiences steeped in the Hub’s four primary pillars: stewarding land and water resources; enriching human health and nutrition; ensuring animal health and welfare; and growing farm businesses and communities throughout the state.

Four students who have spent time working in Hub-funded projects shared how their education and development as industry leaders have been impacted by the DIH. Moderated by Dr. Sierra Howry, an agricultural economics professor at UW-River Falls, the student panel included Mitchell Armstrong, a doctoral student in food science at UW-Madison; Gracie Krahn, a master’s candidate in life sciences communication at UW-Madison; Kylie Beilke, an undergraduate student studying animal science at UW-River Falls; and Mackenzie Krajco, who is pursuing her bachelor’s degree in soil and crop science at UW-Platteville.

“One of the Hub’s core deliverables is to train the next generation of dairy talent, who will go out and make a difference for dairy producers and citizens alike,” Howry said.

Krahn, the only panelist with a dairy farm background, is a sixth-generation dairy farmer from Albany, Oregon.

“I grew up on a dairy farm that was vertically integrated and became fascinated with the idea of consumer education and outreach,” Krahn said. “When I started my master’s studying life sciences communications, I went a bit out of my comfort zone and started studying sustainability and became interested with not just what it means, but how it can be applied to the dairy industry.”

During her research, Krahn said she learned the value of collaboration. She said the DIH pillars all naturally intersected within her research and that sustainability inherently has three independent pillars — economic viability, environmental stewardship and social responsibility.

“To no surprise, the Hub’s four priority areas focus on each of those pillars,” Krahn said. “If I had only focused on one area, I would have unintentionally pigeonholed myself and the success of my research, and it wouldn’t have been a value to the entire dairy industry. Collaboration is critical — if you want to go far, go alone; if you want to do something successful, do it together.”

For Armstrong, becoming involved in DIH-funded research opened doors he never previously knew existed.

“I’m only here because of DIH,” Armstrong said. “It has become a big part of my life and a huge part of how I share my research with the world. When I first met with my (principal investigator), I had never thought of milk or dairy in terms of research.’”

Armstrong said his research centers around exploring the possibilities of utilizing whey protein byproduct concentrate as a potential treatment option for osteoporosis.

“As I built my research around it, I learned that the dairy industry is not a small industry,” Armstrong said. “It’s huge, full of possibilities. I couldn’t see my life going anywhere other than the dairy industry now. Whereas back then, I had a bachelor’s of science in microbiology and no idea what to do with it. The DIH definitely changed my career aspirations.”

An aspiring veterinary student and equine enthusiast, Beilke said she realized she held a narrow view of the animal health options available to her before landing a student research position in a DIH-funded lab, working on developing more efficient and effective mastitis treatments.

“My initial desire to get into this realm was to diversify my application,” Beilke said. “I now see there is a lot more to explore within the animal sector of agriculture. Coming in as a freshman to undergraduate studies, you think of research as being for smart people, or that you’re just sitting in a lab dissecting something or putting stuff in beakers. This has definitely opened up my perspective to seeing that this is real-world stuff.”

Beilke said she still aspires to be a rural veterinarian, but that this has expanded her perspective.

“I’ve learned that if I want to dig into something, to get into the nitty-gritty, I can do that,” Beilke said. “We’re all empowered to do that.”

Krajco was invited by her advisor at UW-Platteville to work in his lab as a freshman, not realizing the opportunity she was being handed at the time.

“I, too, had a pretty narrow view of what research could be,” Krajco said. “I realized there really is something for everyone — whether you want to focus on the lab side or go outside and dig a hole, there’s a job for you anywhere, no matter what research you want to explore.”

The time she has spent taking part in DIH-funded research has given her confidence to pursue her career goals moving forward, Krajco said.

“The opportunities and connections you make are very important,” Krajco said. “I would encourage other students to say yes (to those opportunities) and go for it. You might feel unqualified, but you’re smarter than you think, and you’re more qualified than you think. It’s one of the biggest opportunities you’ll have to learn.”