Any Michigan high school and college students interested in dairy or a career in the dairy industry have until Jan. 11 to apply for the 2019 Michigan Dairy Ambassador Scholarship and Leadership Program.

Continuing with updates instituted last year, the program offers dairy communications training to interested applicants.

The Michigan Dairy Ambassador Program Team is launching a new format that will award the scholarships based on participation in dairy promotion outreach, industry events and an interview with dairy industry judges.

Michigan high school and college students interested in pursuing a career in the dairy industry have until Jan. 11 to apply for the 2019 Michigan Dairy Ambassador Scholarship and Leadership Program.

All applicants should plan to attend a daylong leadership training Feb. 8, the second day of the Great Lakes Regional Dairy Conference (GLRDC). All attendees will be considered 2019 Michigan Dairy Ambassadors, will represent Michigan dairy farm families, and will be equipped with the messaging and practice to effectively communicate with consumers in-person and online.

Participation throughout the year in communication and leadership trainings, dairy events, and promotion activities will earn points, with the opportunity to advance to the interview round.

Application, resume, participation throughout the year in dairy promotion activities, and the interview will be considered for scholarship recipient selections. Two Dairy Ambassador scholarships will be awarded, one to a junior winner and another to a senior winner.

The senior division is reserved for college students up to age 22, with the winner receiving a $1,500 scholarship. The junior division is limited to high school students in grades nine to 12, and the winner receives $1,000 that can be applied toward higher education or the purchase of a dairy animal within the upcoming year.

Applicants are not required to have a dairy farm background, but they must plan to pursue a career related to the dairy industry. The scholarship program is funded through a benefit auction held at GLRDC.

Students interested in applying for the 2019 Michigan Dairy Ambassador Scholarship and Leadership Program can download an application from grldc.org or contact Megghan Honke Seidel at 989-666-3773.

Applications must be submitted electronically to [email protected] by Jan. 11. Any questions about the Michigan Dairy Ambassador Program, contact Jessica Welch at 248-474-6672, ext. 303, or [email protected].

This year’s event will take place in Frankenmuth, Mich., on Feb. 7-9.

Source: GLRDC