The Young Dairy Leaders Institute (YDLI) is the premier leadership program in the dairy industry. Young adults, ages 22-45, apply for the program which consists of three phases over a one-year period. Two three-day, interactive meetings bookend tasks that participants complete in their home communities to practice what they learn

YDLI Class 14 will meet February 2-5, 2026 and February 1-4, 2027 in Dallas, TX. The YDLI Class 14 application is now available, due August 1, 2025.

Through interactive training sessions and working closely with industry experts and dynamic leaders, YDLI participants will strengthen themselves in areas of:

• Interpersonal communications
• Team culture
• Growth mindset
• Embracing change
• Influence
• Advocacy
• Community Involvement

Phase I is a three-day meeting held Monday night to Thursday noon. One year later the group meets again for Phase III in the same date pattern. In between meetings, during Phase II, participants will complete monthly homework tasks. Networking is an important part of YDLI, with many graduates citing they have gained friends and resources for life from the program.

Sample classroom sessions include

• Personality self-assessment & interpersonal skills
• Team culture & influence
• Enabling change & embracing diversity
• Consumer communications & media training
• Time management

The Holstein Foundation, through support from generous corporate and individual donors, covers the costs of program development and materials, expert speakers, and meals. YDLI participants are responsible for a $750 tuition fee to offset a portion of the costs over the 12-month duration of the program. Air and ground transportation, hotel and other incidental expenses are the participant’s responsibility. Participants may seek sponsorship on their own to cover program attendance (e.g., from your employer, milk cooperative, feed supplier, etc.). Roommates are arranged (unless a single room is requested) to help offset hotel expense. Enrollment of the program is limited so more one-on-one instruction may be provided.

A volunteer YDLI Advisory Committee offers guidance in program development and serves as mentors for YDLI participants.

Currently serving on the YDLI Advisory Committee are:

• Tera Baker, Three Oaks, MI
  Nedap – Class 10
   
• Ellen Cushing, Hustisford, WI
  Elanco Animal Health – Class 11
   
• Kimmi Devaney, Coeur d’Alene, ID
  Progressive Dairy – Class 8
   
• Alisa De Witt, Avondale, AZ
  JBS Regional Beef – Class 11
   
• Caroline Knoblock, Dayton, OH
  Agrarian Solutions – Class 12
   
• Spencer Peck, Tulare, CA
  Diamond V – Class 12

More questions? Contact Holstein Foundation