Wisconsin VITAL Program Offers One Day Dairy Education Event

By Blake Jackson

The VITAL program-Valuably Informed Thriving Agriculture Leader is a one-day educational event created to strengthen knowledge and leadership skills in production agriculture, with a strong focus on the dairy industry. Designed to be both engaging and informative, the program offers participants the chance to deepen their understanding of current dairy topics, connect with trusted agricultural resources, and build meaningful professional relationships within the dairy community.

The VITAL event will take place on Friday, March 6, at the Farm Wisconsin Discovery Center in Manitowoc. The program runs from 9:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., with check-in beginning at 9:00 a.m. Attendees can expect a full day of learning, discussion, and networking in a welcoming and interactive environment.

The agenda features a diverse group of dairy professionals, educators, and producers addressing practical and timely issues. The day opens with a session on consistent calf care practices across large-scale operations, led by Nic Schoenberger and Sophy Hensz of Kansas Dairy Development.

Next, Dr. Jennifer Van Os, an Extension Specialist in Animal Welfare at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, will present animal welfare from the cow’s point of view, offering research-based insights into animal well-being.

After lunch, a producer panel will highlight hands-on experiences in “Practical Innovation: Real-World Calf Management Strategies.” Panelists include Carmen VandenPlas of Synergy Dairy, Christine Bender of McFarlandale Dairy, Sophy Hensz of Kansas Dairy Development, and Pam Selz-Pralle of Selz-Pralle Dairy.

The program concludes with a session on personal wellness, as Inga Orth of St. Isidore’s Dairy discusses strategies for managing stress and restoring balance in demanding dairy careers.

Registration costs $30 per person if received by March 5, increasing to $35 after that date or at the door. The fee includes a farm-to-table lunch, refreshments, and all program materials.

To register, contact Extension Manitowoc County at 920-683-4183 or visit go.wisc.edu/VITALmtg.

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