Pictured from left to right are Dr. Jerry Gaska, WROF Board Director; Joan Behr, WROF Board President;  the five scholarship recipients, Julio Orsini, Michelle Stangler, Heather Griesmer, Amanda Williams, and Richard (Rich) Schultz; and Michelle Livanos, WROF Marketing Director.

“I’ve learned that leadership styles need to constantly change and to tailor them for the different generations.”

“Everyone has a unique story.”

“To live life like you’re in the eye of a hurricane.”

“To know where the economy is at and to talk to the front liners.”

“If you want something to happen, set your goals down in writing.”

“When I feel the weight of the responsibility agriculture has for people in providing basic essentials, I take a moment to be self-appreciative.”

These are just a few of the takeaways students and dairy professionals recently learned at the Cornerstone Dairy Academy (CDA), a two-day annual development program held by the Professional Dairy Producers to enhance professionalism, communication, and leadership skills for success in the dairy industry. Enrollment in the program is determined by application; five of the students accepted into this year’s CDA received scholarships to attend from WROF, Inc. Scholarship recipients include Heather Griesmer from Rubicon, WI; Michelle Stangler from Watertown, WI; Julio Orsini from Baldwin, WI; Amanda Williams from Shawano, WI; and Richard (Rich) Schultz from Palmyra, WI.

An Agriculture Marketing Communications and Journalism major with a minor in Agriculture Business at UW-River Falls, Michelle has a passion for sharing the personal stories of agriculture. She is very thankful to WROF for the scholarship, as attending the CDA has helped her build her leadership skills and to network with industry professionals. Michelle says that this experience will allow her to grow more, and to be able to give back more to rural Wisconsin.

Amanda is an industry dairy consultant. “The scholarship from WROF provided an opportunity for me to grow my leadership and communication skills so that I can better serve the producers that I work with,” says Amanda. Julio found the program to be incredibly helpful, especially with understanding the need to continue to grow and learn.

Heather loves working in the dairy industry! She currently works on a 350-cow dairy in Rubicon, WI, having a hand in just about everything that needs to get done: working with the calves, fieldwork, milking, and anywhere else she is needed. “I want to stay involved in the dairy industry, whether it is staying on the farm or in the industry, itself,” says Heather. “It was very awesome to hear from different leaders and to meet new people, and to just continue improving my leadership and communication skills.”

A graduate from UW-Madison’s four-year dairy science program, Rich has his hands full as herd manager of an 1800-cow dairy in Ixonia, WI. He is thankful for the scholarship and the opportunity to improve his management and leadership skills. At some point, someday, he’d like to own his own dairy farm.

WROF Board President Joan Behr and WROF Board Director Dr. Jerry Gaska were present to represent WROF, Inc and to congratulate the scholarship recipients. Joan advises the students of this year’s CDA: “Take all you can glean from this program and take it back with you to rural Wisconsin.”

Receiving WROF, Inc. scholarships in 1976, 1977, and 1978 was lifesaving for Gail. It helped fund her college education that she would not have been able to afford, otherwise. “It was wonderful to receive a substantial scholarship from WROF, Inc.,” says Gail who attended UW-Stevens Point and earned a degree in Education.

Going to college was a new experience for Gail, to be away from home on the farm and living in a city. “There were people all around!” recalls Gail. “My neighbors were right across the hall, whereas at home, they were across fields.” She thoroughly enjoyed meeting new people. The experience was very eye-opening for her, to see different lifestyles. “Everything was new and different, and I really enjoyed having these experiences.”

Having grown up on a farm in Wisconsin Rapids, Gail finds rural communities to be wonderful places to live and to be part of families. While Gail still enjoys going to big cities to experience cultural events, nothing compares to living in rural communities. “There is a real sense of community in rural places,” says Gail. With a slower pace of life, rural living allows one to reflect and appreciate all that one has. “Living in rural communities means being outside more, where you can enjoy nature.”

Gail currently lives with her family in a house tucked away in the woods, along a river where she can enjoy nature and rural living.

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