In mid-July, 63 high school and middle school students gathered for the four-day Badger Dairy Camp at the University of Wisconsin–Madison. Participants explored various aspects of Wisconsin’s dairy industry, learning about higher education and career opportunities available in the field. Aimed at youth aged 12-17, the camp included hands-on workshops, campus lab visits, sessions at the UW School of Veterinary Medicine, and trips to a nearby dairy farm, alongside college preparation and recreational activities.
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Grace Elmhorst, a high school freshman from Granton, Wisconsin, shared her enthusiasm about a session on reproductive anatomy, stating, “One of my favorite sessions was learning about the reproductive tract. That was pretty cool. We got to see the reproductive organs, and one of the cows was pregnant with twins, so we got to see that.”
This year’s camp marked a revival of a popular program last held in 2018, which was interrupted by the Covid pandemic. The initiative received funding from a UW Dairy Innovation Hub grant, along with contributions from Compeer Financial, Hoard’s Dairyman, and the UW–Madison Department of Animal and Dairy Sciences (ADS).
Eric Ronk, a co-organizer and member of the ADS teaching faculty, remarked on the positive response from attendees, saying, “We were thrilled to bring back Badger Dairy Camp... with students sharing how much they enjoyed the hands-on experiences, new friendships, and career exploration opportunities.” He expressed gratitude to all who supported the camp.
The camp's programming focused on four key areas outlined by the Dairy Innovation Hub: stewarding land and water resources, enhancing human health and nutrition, ensuring animal health and welfare, and fostering farm business and community growth. Participants engaged in classic dairy youth activities like dairy judging and linear evaluation. Evan Brey, a rising freshman at Southern Door High School, noted the advantage of learning from experienced UW dairy judging coaches, highlighting the prestige of the Wisconsin judging team.
Campers experienced student life, residing and dining in campus facilities, and enjoyed recreational activities such as volleyball, bowling, and a bonfire at Picnic Point. While most attendees came from farm families, the program was designed to welcome all interested learners.
Co-organizer Laura Hernandez emphasized the need to attract students from both agricultural and non-agricultural backgrounds to sustain Wisconsin’s dairy workforce, stating that the program aims to inspire and prepare future leaders in the sector. ADS graduate student Megan Lauber, responsible for planning the camp, praised the engagement among participants and the broader dairy community, stating, “It showcased how strong the dairy community is here in Wisconsin.”