California Ag Network

Tag: The Dairy Girl Network

  • California’s Jennifer Fernandez-Hanf Among New Dairy Girl Network Board of Directors

    Dairy Girl Network (DGN), an organization offering programs and events supporting all women in dairy reaching across the nation, has welcomed three new dairywomen to the board of directors: Jennifer Fernandes-Hanf of California, Julie Patterson of New York and Lorilee Schultz of Illinois. Jennifer, Julie, and Lorilee recently joined the board which together with industry partners, allow DGN members to gain valuable connections, resources and shared experiences while supporting and encouraging fellow dairywomen.

    Jennifer Fernandes-Hanf was raised on her family dairy farm in Tulare County, Calif. She was active in her local 4-H and Jr. Holstein clubs and enjoyed raising replacement heifers, registered Holsteins and showing cattle. Jennifer earned a B.S. degree in Agricultural Business Management from Cal Poly State University in San Luis Obispo, Calif. Jennifer’s career has combined her passion for the dairy industry with her keen interest in software and technology. The bulk of her career was as IT Director for World Wide Sires, Ltd before she joined the Milc Group team in 2019. As Vice President of Product at Milc Group, she heads up the organization’s people management and employee training software products.

    Julie Patterson is an owner at Patterson Farms, Inc., alongside her husband, as sixth generation dairy and crop farmers in Cayuga County, NY. Julie’s responsibilities at Patterson Farms, Inc., include financial management, HR management, safety training, social media, outreach and workforce development. Julie attended Alfred State College and earned an associate degree in architectural engineering and worked in that field for a few years after graduating. After going back to school, Julie completed the Cornell Dairy Executive Program in 2004 with a Bachelor’s degree in Accounting. Julie serves on the NYS Dairy Promotion Order Board, on a cohort for the National Young Farmers Coalition and is involved in Workforce Development for agriculture in her community.

    Lorilee Schultz manages Mil-R-Mor Farm, in Orangeville, Ill. On the farm, some of her passions include developing deep pedigrees, producing high quality milk, and incorporating practices that improve soil health and increase biodiversity. She graduated from Iowa State University with a double major in Agricultural Business and Economics. While in college, she enjoyed some terrific internships with Hoards Dairyman and the USDA Foreign Ag Service, but her love of cows brought her back to her grandparents’ farm. Lorilee is active in her local Holstein club, a YDLI graduate, and former president of the Holstein Foundation. She recently served as the chairperson for the National Milk Producers Federation Young Cooperators advisory council.

    The DGN Board of Directors is comprised of twelve voting members along with two advisory members. These individuals are elected representatives serving as dairy farmers and industry professionals. They oversee the overall execution of the organization’s mission. In building the organization and supporting dairywomen through connections, encouragement and inspiration, DGN is proud to continue to add to our board of directors with new leadership.

    Jennifer, Julie, and Lorilee join the current DGN Board of Directors who include Laura Daniels, founder and president, of Wisconsin; Rebecca Shaw, vice president, of Pennsylvania; LuAnn Troxel, financial officer, of Indiana; Carrie Mess of Wisconsin; Kristy Pagel of Wisconsin; Tami Smith of Pennsylvania; Mary Knigge of Washington DC; Julie Veldhuis of Idaho; Rosario Ibarra of Wisconsin. Advisors to the board include Leah Ziemba of Wisconsin and Dr. Kelly Reed of Washington. These individuals are advocates for advancing women within agriculture and are dedicated to the mission and vision of DGN.

    Learn more about the organization and the opportunities DGN offers at dairygirlnetwork.com. Membership is free for all dairywomen. If you are interested in becoming a member of DGN, go to https://dairygirlnetwork.com/join/.

    The Dairy Girl Network connects all women of the dairy industry, encouraging ideas and camaraderie in an effort to achieve personal and professional development. Designed as a welcoming network of passionate women involved in dairy, relationships will grow through shared experience, support and inspiration.

  • Dairy Girl Network to Host Two Events in CA Early 2020

    The Dairy Girl Network (DGN), an organization supporting all women in dairy by enhancing lives and creating opportunities, announces two events taking place in California in January and February 2020.

    DGN will be hosting a new event in California during the California Holstein Association’s state convention. The DGN Sharing Wisdom and Connect event will be held at The Penny in San Luis Obispo, California, on Friday, January 24, 2020 from 9:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. The event will be open to dairywomen involved in all aspects of the dairy industry attending the Holstein meeting or just from California for a day of education and networking. Buses will leave the Embassy Suites at 8:45 a.m. and will handle transportation to and from the event. If traveling in for the day or want to drive separate, parking is available at The Penny.
     
    The DGN event will be held in beautiful downtown SLO at The Penny and include training seminars, lunch and wine tasting. The speakers will include Celeste Setrinni, a cattle rancher and owner of a design and communications business and Erin Nutcher, partner in Hidden Valley Dairy, who will share about her agriculture advocacy experiences and tips. Also speaking will be Paul Swearingen, Core-Leaders Network Founder who will cover conflict resolution and lead an activation and communication exercise. Welcoming the group and enjoying in the day will be Carrie Mess, a DGN Board Member and blogger at DairyCarrie.
     
    Event ticket price is $50.00 and includes transportation, lunch, wine tasting and a DGN special gift. All registrations are due January 8th. There is a student discount available. Visit DairyGirlNetwork.com for registration and further details.
     
    The second event in California will be held at World Ag Expo, Tulare, California, International Agri-Center. The Connect Event during World Ag Expo will be a coffee break open house which will be available at booth DS 105/106 on Wednesday, February 12, 2020 from 10:00 to 11:30 a.m. A short program will be held at 10:30 a.m. Join other dairywomen for a quick recharge to talk about your lives involving dairy farming. The event is for all women involved with any part of dairy – whether as a calf feeder, dairy owner, marketing or sales consultant servicing dairy farms or cheese producers, veterinarian, researchers, etc. If there is a dairy cow involved in what you do, you’re invited. The DGN Connect event price for World Ag Expo is $10.00. Attendees will enjoy coffee, snacks and receive a special DGN gift.
     
    For the second consecutive year at World Ag Expo, a Family Lounge will also be provided by Dairy Girl Network at booth DS 105/106. The Family Lounge provides a much-needed quiet space for families and new mothers. Amenities in the Lounge include a comfortable chair for  nursing/pumping, a diaper changing station with supplies, and a place to rest and recharge. This quiet space is perfect for families or nursing mothers to escape the hustle-and-bustle of World Ag Expo.
     
    Registration for both events are now open. Those interested can visit DairyGirlNetwork.com to learn more and to register. DGN asks that those who plan to attend pre-register for each event.

    The Dairy Girl Network connects all women of the dairy industry, encouraging ideas and camaraderie in an effort to achieve personal and professional development. Designed as a welcoming network of passionate women involved in dairy, relationships will grow through shared experience, support and inspiration.