Morrisville State College Students Take Part in Northeast Regional Dairy Challenge

Eleven Morrisville State College students were among those who participated in the Northeast Regional Dairy Challenge held recently in Batavia, N.Y.



The Northeast Regional Dairy Challenge is an innovative three-day event, designed by a team of industry and university professionals, to promote the future of the dairy industry.



Morrisville State College was among 12 northeast colleges and two Canadian universities that participated in the eighth annual event which was held Oct. 28-30.



Students worked in mixed university teams where they assessed all aspects of a working dairy farm including feeding programs, facilities, financials, reproduction and animal health.



A panel of judges and participating farm families ranked teams based on a 20-minute presentation they gave which detailed their observations and recommendations. Teams were ranked as platinum, gold or silver based on how well their evaluations matched the judges' evaluations.



Throughout the challenge, teams also participated in educational workshops, an industry career fair, and team-building activities.



The event brought together some of the northeast's best and brightest students who were chosen by their universities to participate.



Participating from Morrisville State College were:



Jessica Herrington, of Dansville, N.Y., animal science—dairy, A.A.S.

Zach Calhoun, of Redwood, N.Y., agricultural science, A.A.S.

Stephanie Pierce, of Redwood, N.Y., animal science—dairy, A.A.S.

Dave Johnson, of Owego, N.Y., animal science—dairy, A.A.S.

Regina Perry, of Strykersville, N.Y., agricultural business development, B.B.A.

Brent Tetreault, of Champlain, N.Y., dairy management, B.Tech

Casey Schrier, of Nunda, N.Y., agricultural business, A.A.S.

Heather Frost, of Sauquoit, N.Y., dairy management, B.Tech

Mike Telaak, of Ellicottville, N.Y., dairy management, B.Tech

Laura Hanehan, of Saratoga Springs, N.Y., animal science—dairy, A.A.S.

Jen Masters, of Marcellus, N.Y., agricultural business development, B.B.A.



Morrisville State College will host the 2011 Northeast Regional Dairy Challenge in Watertown, N.Y.



The Northeast Regional Dairy Challenge is under the guidance and support of the North American Intercollegiate Dairy Challenge (NAIDC) which was established as a management contest to incorporate evaluation of all aspects of a specific dairy business. For more information, visit www.dairychallenge.org.



Morrisville State College, considered to be one of the most technologically advanced colleges in the nation for its ThinkPad University program and wireless technology initiative, offers more than 80 bachelor and associate degrees and options.



The Morrisville State College Norwich campus offers associate degree programs in accounting, business, computer systems technology, office administration, liberal arts transfer, nursing, early childhood, criminal justice and human services to south central New York residents and employers. Students may also apply coursework to other associate or bachelor degrees at the main campus.