By Nina Weiland
From February 3rd to February 5th, seven Delaware Valley University students, Izzy Anderson ’27, Malayna Barnhart ’27, Hannah Dice ’27, Sophia Latour ’29, Lyndsey Smith ’29, Caitlyn VanDeusen ’27, and Taylor Zacniewski ’28, attended the 2026 Pennsylvania Dairy Summit in Grantville, PA, alongside Joanne Powell, professor and co-chair of the Animal Science Department.
Each year, more than 350 dairy industry leaders from across Pennsylvania gather for the annual Dairy Summit to participate in workshops, panel discussions, showcases, and keynote sessions. The 2026 theme, “True North,” centered on leadership, innovation, and staying grounded in the core values of the dairy industry.
Highlights of this year’s Summit included a private screening of A World Without Cows, a film exploring the global importance of cattle, as well as keynote sessions from Michael Hoffman, Brody Stapel, the Painterland Sisters, Taylor Chip Cookie, and Sara Dorland. Additionally, Jim Hertzler of Summit Level Farm in Bucks County, Donny Bartch of Merrimart Farms LLC in Perry County, and Matt and Megan Fry of Fair Hill Farms in Maryland shared their experiences of working on and managing a dairy farm during a panel discussion.
The Summit featured four breakout session tracks designed to encourage peer-to-peer learning and industry growth. “The Discussion” focused on navigating and initiating difficult conversations. “The People” emphasized leadership development and effective team management. “The Fundamentals” highlighted practical applications and best practices for dairy farms. “The Analytics” explored emerging technologies and how farms can maximize their use for efficiency and sustainability.
DelVal students were able to attend this event through the Young Dairy Professionals Scholarship, which provides students between the ages of 18 and 30, who either work on a dairy farm or are enrolled in an agricultural degree program, access to the Summit at a reduced rate of $50, including a complimentary hotel stay. Standard registration costs $100 and does not include lodging. Scholarship recipients also had the opportunity to attend a Young Dairy Professionals reception, panel discussion, and career development workshop.
“As a Young Dairy Professional scholarship recipient, I had the opportunity to connect with multiple dairy industry professionals and gain valuable insight into potential post-graduate career paths,” said DelVal student Taylor Zacniewski ’28.
“I also attended a variety of breakout sessions of my choice, where I learned about new techniques and emerging technologies within the dairy industry. The three-day conference schedule was packed with networking opportunities, including time to engage with exhibitors who were eager to discuss their companies and career opportunities.”