Natalie Horning of Manchester Wins Dairy Scholarship, One of Sixteen Youth Named Michigan Dairy Ambassadors

Michigan Dairy Ambassadors gather after their training during the Great Lakes Regional Dairy Conference. Pictured above: first row (left to right) Evelyn Okkema, Skylar Buell, Elyse Zimmerlee and Bridget Moore. Second row (left to right): Julia Doughty and Libby Venema. Third row (left to right) Madeline Meyer, Cameron Cook and Kristen Burkhardt. Fourth row (left to right) Erin Fritz, Jenna Kingsley and Courtney Heisler. Fifth row (left to right) Caroline Knoblock, Shelby Berens, Hayleigh Geurink and Natalie Horning.

East Lansing, Mich. – Natalie Horning of Manchester was one of sixteen youth who kicked off a year of dairy promotion and outreach as Michigan dairy ambassadors during the Great Lakes Regional Dairy Conference (GLRDC) that took place in Frankenmuth, Michigan, Feb. 5–7. Horning was also awarded a scholarship worth $1,500.

Eleven high school junior dairy ambassadors – Skylar Buell of Temperance, Shelby Berens of Holland, Kristen Burkhardt of Fowlerville, Cameron Cook of Pewamo, Julia Doughty of Remus, Erin Fritz of West Branch, Jenna Kingsley of Webberville, Madeline Meyer of Ionia, Evelyn Okkema of Blanchard, Libby Venema of Deford and Elyse Zimmerlee of Bellevue – and five college senior dairy ambassadors – Hayleigh Geurink of Grand Rapids, Courtney Heisler of Springport, Natalie Horning of Manchester, Caroline Knoblock of Ionia and Bridget Moore of Sears – spent the day training for their upcoming role as dairy advocates.

Ambassadors participated in educational sessions covering topics ranging from dairy promotion resources to the basics of blogging while showcasing their passion for the dairy industry to a panel of judges. Throughout the year, the 16 reigning dairy ambassadors will be afforded further training as well as opportunities to represent the dairy industry during promotion and outreach events.

In addition to training sessions, ambassadors competed for scholarships and the titles of junior and senior Michigan dairy ambassador representative.  Madeline Meyer, a junior at Ionia High School, was named the junior ambassador representative and will be awarded a $1,000 scholarship. Natalie Horning, a sophomore at Michigan State University, was announced as the senior ambassador representative and will receive a $1,500 scholarship.

“Congratulations to the 16 individuals who were part of the 2015 Michigan Dairy Ambassador Program. Their passion and knowledge of the Michigan dairy industry showed throughout the day,” Cathy McCune, dairy farmer, promoter and ambassador judge, said. “The future looks bright for our industry, and I’m proud of all those who took the time to spend their day building skills to promote the state’s dairy industry,”

The ambassadors and representatives were announced Feb. 6 during the GLRDC’s Michigan Dairy Industry Recognition Night. The ambassador representatives were selected based on each ambassador’s application, professional introduction, interview and participation throughout the training.

The GLRDC established the Michigan Dairy Ambassador Scholarship and Leadership Program in 2006. The program provides future young dairy leaders with an opportunity to develop communication, promotion and leadership skills while representing the dairy industry in person and online.

To learn more about the Michigan Dairy Ambassador Scholarship and Leadership Program, visit www.glrdc.msu.edu.

CONTACT: Megghan Honke, honkemeg@msu.edu, 517-884-7089

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by Fritz Swanson

Fritz Swanson has written for The Believer, the Christian Science Monitor, Print Magazine, McSweeney's, Esopus, LSA Magazine, and The Mid-American Review. He serves as a trustee on the Manchester District Library Board. He's the designer and publisher of The Manchester Mirror.

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