Michigan high school and college students interested in pursuing a career in the dairy industry have until Jan. 6 to apply for the 2017 Michigan Dairy Ambassador Scholarship and Leadership Program.

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

All applicants meeting baseline criteria will be invited to attend a day-long training on Feb. 3, the second day of the Great Lakes Regional Dairy Conference (GLRDC). Attendees will be considered 2017 Michigan Dairy Ambassadors and will be equipped with the messaging and practice to effectively communicate with consumers in-person and online.

Apply before Jan. 6 to be a Michigan Dairy Ambassador

A panel of industry judges will evaluate each ambassador based on his/her application, introduction and participation throughout the training to select one junior and one senior dairy ambassador representative. Representatives will be the primary faces and voices of Michigan’s dairy industry at a variety of educational, industrial and promotional events held across the state during the year.

As in the past, two scholarships will be awarded to the representatives, 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 the annual Great Lakes Regional Dairy Conference (GLRDC).

Currently, Charlene McAlvey of Owosso, is serving as the 2016 senior Michigan dairy ambassador representative. Kristen Burkhardt of Fowlerville is the junior Michigan dairy ambassador representative.

Students interested in applying for the 2017 Michigan Dairy Ambassador Scholarship and Leadership Program can download an application from www.glrdc.msu.edu or contact Megghan Honke Seidel at 517-884-7089. Applications must be submitted electronically to [email protected] and will be accepted until Jan. 6. Any questions about the Michigan Dairy Ambassador Program please contact Jessica Welch at 248-474-6672, ext. 303 or [email protected].