Solving a puzzle, one dairy at a time
It may have started as a course requirement, but for students like Molly Cordonnier and Allison Sanders at The Ohio State University, participation in the Dairy Challenge team quickly became one of the most meaningful experiences of their college careers.
Founded in 2002, the North American Intercollegiate Dairy Challenge (NAIDC) allows students to apply classroom concepts in a real-world setting. At each contest, student teams receive farm records to review before visiting a working dairy farm, where they assess everything from cow comfort and nutrition to health and milking procedures. They also interview the farm owner or manager. Then, the clock starts ticking. Teams have a limited amount of time to prepare a 20-minute presentation of their findings and recommendations for a panel of industry judges.
“Dairy Challenge provides the opportunity for students to experience the process of evaluating management practices on a dairy farm and to network with representatives in the dairy industry,” said Dr. Maurice Eastridge, professor in the Department of Animal Sciences in the College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences and the team’s coach since 2003. “It’s not just about competition; it’s about helping students connect the dots between what they learn in the classroom and what they see on working farms.”
Depending on the contest, students may be on self-determined teams or placed on teams of four. For example, with regional programs, students are often with people they may have never met. It’s an opportunity to learn to work under pressure and communicate effectively, key skills in any agricultural career.
“The primary goals are to develop the ability to constructively provide opportunities for improvement on a dairy enterprise, grow in confidence when sharing knowledge with professionals, and network within the industry,” he said. “Of course, I’m competitive, so I like to see them place well, too.”
For Eastridge, the best part of coaching is watching his students learn and grow.
“My favorite part of the role as a coach is working with the students and assisting them in furthering their knowledge of the many facets of management on dairy farms,” he said. “It’s rewarding to see them grow in confidence and go on to find meaningful careers in the dairy industry.”
For Sanders, the puzzle-like challenge of evaluating a farm at the Dairy Challenge quickly became a passion.
“You have a limited amount of time to try and put the pieces together and evaluate a farm from top to bottom,” she said. “Every farm we traveled to was so unique. It was really interesting to see how diverse the industry was. Having the opportunity to discuss the dreams behind the farm with the current producers was also really special. A lot of farms were multi-generational, so being able to share some ideas on how they could continue to improve and evolve their operation for future generations was an incredible opportunity and a welcomed challenge.”
Cordonnier echoed that sentiment.
“It gives students real-world experience about how to walk onto a dairy farm and spot key things that could have an impact on production,” she said. “It's more than just reading off a slide to pinpoint the issues and you have to follow clues that the cows give to the origin of the issue.”
Both students say the experience shaped their college journeys and even more importantly, their futures.
“It allowed me to connect what I was learning in the classroom with what was happening on the farm,” Cordonnier said. “Sometimes the solution was as simple as rearranging animals. Other times, it was a complex health issue. You learn how the little things can add up to make a big impact.”
Sanders credits Dairy Challenge with influencing her decision to attend graduate school.
“It showed me a whole side of the industry I didn’t know I would be so passionate about,” Sanders said. “I grew as a teammate, leader, student, and person. My time at Ohio State would not have been the same without it.”
Though the competition is serious, the camaraderie makes it unforgettable. Sanders and her teammates even gave themselves a nickname: “The Dairy Girls.”
“We really spent two years growing individually in the areas we were most interested in, but more importantly, growing together as young women in the industry,” she said. “It’s a one-of-a-kind experience to have a supportive community like that. I still talk to my fellow Dairy Girls and our coaches on a regular basis.”
Cordonnier agreed that the relationships were one of the best parts. “The best thing was getting to work with others who were as passionate about the industry as I was, but who had different perspectives. You get to meet with professionals and future colleagues from across the country.”
Both students encourage others to get involved, regardless of background or experience.
“If you’re even slightly interested, try it,” Cordonnier said. “It ended up being one of the most impactful experiences I had while at Ohio State.”
Sanders added, “You never know what kind of opportunities will come your way. You won’t regret giving it a shot, and you’ll share a lot of laughs and fun along the way.”
