Center for Dairy Excellence Supports Pennsylvania Dairy Farms

Nonprofit organization provides grants, training, and industry connections to help dairy farmers innovate and thrive

Jan. 30, 2026 at 1:31am

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The Center for Dairy Excellence, a public-private partnership in Pennsylvania, is dedicated to supporting the state's dairy industry through a variety of programs and initiatives. From providing grants to help dairy farmers start new value-added ventures, to facilitating connections between producers and legislators, to growing the next generation of dairy workers through apprenticeship programs, the center is focused on cultivating possibilities and driving real results for Pennsylvania's dairy community.

Why it matters

As the dairy industry faces ongoing challenges, the Center for Dairy Excellence plays a crucial role in empowering Pennsylvania's dairy farmers to adapt, innovate, and build a sustainable future. By offering financial, educational, and networking resources, the center is helping dairy businesses stay grounded in their values while exploring new opportunities to grow and thrive.

The details

The Center for Dairy Excellence offers several grant programs to help dairy farmers pursue new ventures and transformations. For example, the Transformation Team Grant allowed Kacie Hershey of Ar-Joy Farms to kickstart a wholesale ice cream business, while the Transition Team Grant helped Chad Hoover of Thousand Hill Dairy LLC navigate family dynamics and build a successful succession plan. The center also partners with industry groups like the Professional Dairy Managers of Pennsylvania to host the annual PA Dairy Summit, and has launched a Dairy Processor Webinar series to spur collaboration across the supply chain. Additionally, the center's registered Dairy Herd Manager Apprenticeship and Dairy Laborer Pre-Apprenticeship programs are building a pipeline of skilled dairy workers.

  • The Center for Dairy Excellence was founded to support Pennsylvania's dairy industry.
  • The center launched its Dairy Herd Manager Apprenticeship and Dairy Laborer Pre-Apprenticeship programs in recent years to cultivate a skilled dairy workforce.
  • The center partnered with the Pennsylvania Association of Milk Dealers (PAMD) to launch a Dairy Processor Webinar series in 2026.

The players

Kacie Hershey

A dairy farmer who used the Center for Dairy Excellence's Transformation Team Grant to kickstart a wholesale ice cream business.

Chad Hoover

A dairy farmer who utilized the Center for Dairy Excellence's Transition Team Grant to navigate family dynamics and build a successful succession plan for his farm, Thousand Hill Dairy LLC.

Rep. Emily Kinkead

A Pennsylvania legislator who partnered with the Center for Dairy Excellence's 'Adopt a Cow' program to educate fellow representatives about dairy farming.

Rylee Fuller

A Dairy Herd Manager Apprentice working on a dairy farm in Perry County, Pennsylvania.

Dr. Alex Hamberg

The state veterinarian who collaborated with the Center for Dairy Excellence to provide biosecurity guidance to dairy producers amid the threat of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI).

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What they’re saying

“The Transformation Team Grant from the center helped us put a team of people together to talk about our options. We all had the same goal in mind but brought different perspectives to the table. There are so many different ways you can make ice cream. It made me think of things in a different way and consider things I hadn't before – instead of me just diving into this with only a dream and ambition.”

— Kacie Hershey

“By having an outside consultant through the Transition Team Grant, you have somebody who has gone through it. We all want the farm to be profitable – but at the same time, we all have our own ideas on how we want to do it. It was nice to have another perspective from a third party.”

— Chad Hoover

“We actually learned about what goes into raising dairy cows and what happens on a dairy farm for people who wouldn't necessarily be able to actually get out to a farm in person. We got a lot of buy-in from staff as well, which was fun. I would get emails in response to the calf updates, saying 'This is a great way to start the week. I love hearing about our calf.'”

— Rep. Emily Kinkead

“I enjoy being able to learn on the farm and have people around me who also give me opportunities to go to different workshops, so I can continue to further my education that way. This apprenticeship is a great experience and I feel like I'm furthering my education without going to college.”

— Rylee Fuller, Dairy Herd Manager Apprentice

“The collaboration between the Center for Dairy Excellence and the Department of Agriculture's Bureau of Animal Health is a powerful example of what can be achieved when we work together. Facing the challenge of HPAI in dairy cattle – a new and potentially devastating threat to our industry – we united to provide dairy producers with critical biosecurity guidance and timely updates. This partnership has been essential in protecting herd health and safeguarding the integrity of our food supply.”

— Dr. Alex Hamberg, State Veterinarian

What’s next

The Center for Dairy Excellence plans to expand its partnership with West Virginia University Institute for Community and Rural Health to bring more grant and educational opportunities to dairy farmers in West Virginia.

The takeaway

The Center for Dairy Excellence is playing a vital role in supporting the resilience and innovation of Pennsylvania's dairy industry. By providing financial resources, fostering industry connections, and cultivating the next generation of dairy workers, the center is helping dairy farm families stay grounded in their values while exploring new possibilities to grow and thrive.