Nic Schoenberger of Kiel, Wisconsin has been selected as the 2026 Young Dairy Leader’s Institute Distinguished Alumni Leader award recipient. Each year, the Holstein Foundation recognizes a Young Dairy Leaders Institute (YDLI) graduate who has made noteworthy contributions to the dairy industry, applying skills gained during their YDLI experience.

“YDLI was the first time someone had challenged me to write a personal mission statement,” Nic recalls. “For whatever reason, before realizing I was being awarded this excellent opportunity to represent the alumni of YDLI, I had pulled that mission statement out and read it, and as I read it, I realized it’s come true.”

Nic was a graduate of YDLI Class 4. Since 2018, Nic and Christine have been partners in Kansas Dairy Development (KDD) in Deerfield, Kansas. KDD is a calf ranch and heifer development facility that raises calves for 70 clients across 14 different states. They also own the calf depot in Wisconsin where they pick up calves daily from 23 clients.  Prior to his involvement in KDD, Nic’s career covered many different facets of the dairy industry.

Although he did not come from a traditional farming background, Nic gained exposure to McMullen Dairy Farm while growing up in Florida and immediately fell in love with the Holstein cow. He went on to study Dairy Science at the University of Florida and spent the early years of his career working on dairy farms in Wisconsin.

Nic then transitioned to a career in food service sales at Sargento Foods, before landing a role as a District Sales Manager for ABS Global. In 2004, Nic had the opportunity to become involved in Shuler Dairy, the farm his wife Christine was raised on. They grew the farm from 230 to 700 cows alongside Christine’s brother Mike, before exiting in 2021. The family still maintains over 900 acres of farmland, growing corn silage, alfalfa, and soybeans. Thirty percent of the calves and heifers raised at KDD come through the calf depot located across the road from the old dairy facility.

Outside of his career involvement in the dairy industry, Nic has been involved in the Farm Wisconsin Discovery Center since its inception in 2010. He’s also spent many years volunteering through 4-H and Miracle League of the Lakeshore. Nic and his wife Christine have four grown children: Nicole (29), and her husband Taylor and granddaughter Kinsley, Christopher (25), Bryce (22), and Ann Marie (19).

Nic will be recognized with the award during Phase I of YDLI Class 14, being held February 2-5, 2026, in Dallas, Texas.

“YDLI really opened my eyes that it is our purpose and our mission to advocate for ourselves and for others,” Nic said.  “It doesn’t matter whether you do it one time or one hundred times, it’s important to put yourself out there.”

The Young Dairy Leaders Institute, a program of the Holstein Foundation, is a nationally recognized three-phase leadership and communication skills development program for young adults (ages 22-45) in the dairy industry. For more information about YDLI or Holstein Foundation programs, visit www.holsteinfoundation.org