The Holstein Foundation is pleased to welcome David Fischer and Matthew Iager, DVM, to their board of trustees. The board oversees the direction of the Holstein Foundation’s youth and young adult education and leadership development programs.
Dave Fischer was raised on a Holstein dairy farm in Southern Illinois and was active in the 4-H dairy project and Junior Holstein club. He received his Bachelor of Science degree in Animal/Dairy Science at Southern Illinois University-Carbondale and Master of Science in Environmental Sciences with an emphasis on livestock waste management from Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville.
Fischer spent 40 years in his career as a County Agricultural Advisor and State-wide Dairy Educator with University of Illinois Extension. He retired in 2010 and continued as Illinois 4-H Dairy Program Coordinator/Coach until 2020. Fischer has been recognized statewide and nationally for his involvement and commitment to dairy youth programing. His youth dairy judging and dairy quiz bowl programs have been highly successful, and Fischer has judged several state youth dairy cattle shows, including the National FFA Dairy Judging Contest. He currently serves as a moderator for the National Holstein Dairy Bowl contests and as a member of the National 4-H Dairy Judging Management Committee.
“Having worked with dairy youth for nearly 50 years, I am continually impressed by their energy, knowledge, work ethic, and interest to make a difference in their future. As a member of the Holstein Foundation Board of Trustees, I look forward to helping dairy youth reach their goals through the many opportunities provided by the Foundation,” Fischer said.
Dr. Iager grew up in Fulton, Maryland at Maple Lawn Farms, a Registered Holstein® dairy farm. He received his Bachelor of Science degree in Dairy Science from Delaware Valley University and Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree from Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine at Virginia Tech. Iager is a dairy veterinarian specializing in embryo transfer with Mid-Maryland Dairy Veterinarians in Hagerstown, Maryland. He, along with his wife, Laura, and children, Noah and Brooke, own and operate MD-West-View Genetics, a certified donor facility that exports embryos worldwide.
Iager serves on the board of directors and is the current president-elect of National Dairy Shrine. He is a past president of the American Embryo Transfer Association and Maryland Holstein Association. He served on the alumni board at the Veterinary School at Virginia Tech and is the current treasurer for Maryland Dairy Shrine. He has served as a delegate to the National Holstein Convention and received the Distinguished Service Award given by the Maryland Holstein Association.
“The Holstein Foundation is committed to serving young dairy leaders and fostering those relationships for a brighter future. I am happy to serve an industry that continues to give back to our youth,” Iager said.
For more information on the Holstein Foundation and the programs offered, visit Holstein Foundation or contact Jodi Hoynoski at 800.952.5200 ext. 4261 or by email.
The Holstein Foundation’s education, leadership development and outreach programs serve both youth and young adults across the country who are involved with all breeds of dairy cattle.
The Holstein Foundation is a 501(c)3 organization founded in 1989. It is headquartered in Brattleboro, Vermont, and shares office space with its parent organization, Holstein Association USA, Inc.