The Dairy Innovation Hub will hold its seventh annual Dairy Summit conference on November 17, hosted by the University of Wisconsin–Platteville College of Business, Industry, Life Science and Agriculture (BILSA).
Formatted for a general audience, the Summit features the Hub’s newest projects. Anyone unable to attend in person can participate through a live virtual option. Sessions will also be recorded and posted to YouTube after the event.
Hub events are free and open to the public. Pre-registration is required.
In addition to research presentations, the event will feature an opening farmer panel. The discussion will bring together dairy farmers to share challenges and priorities from the farm and explore how university research can help address them. Each panelist will draw on their unique experiences to speak candidly about the issues that matter most to their farms and communities. The conversation will provide researchers with direct input from farmers while highlighting the Hub’s commitment to stakeholder engagement and applied research grounded in the real-world challenges facing Wisconsin’s dairy community.
Four farmers will share their perspectives:
- Dave Daniels, Union Grove: Chair of the Dairy Innovation Hub advisory council and a member of Dairy Task Force 2.0, which helped shape the Hub’s vision. He has also held leadership roles with the Wisconsin Farm Bureau Federation and remains active in advancing agricultural innovation.
- Tom Crave, Waterloo: Founding partner of Crave Brothers Farm, where he helped grow the family farm into a diversified dairy business known for award-winning farmstead cheeses and environmental stewardship.
- Cody Carpenter, Darlington: A partner at Redrock View Farms focused on herd performance, genetics, and innovation. A UW-Madison dairy science graduate, he also serves on the Dairy Business Association board of directors.
- Katie Roth, Platteville: A partner at Banner Ridge Farms who combines farming with agricultural education and outreach efforts that connect students and community members with modern dairy farming. She is a graduate of UW-Platteville and Colorado State University and is active in leadership and community development.
After lunch, guests will break into smaller groups and rotate between four tour stops at UW–Platteville’s Pioneer Farm, where they will learn about Hub-supported research and facilities focused on dairy management, agroecosystems, dairy manufacturing, and manure innovation.
Each tour will overview diverse research experiences, facilities, programs, and will include discussion about any Hub-funded research and equipment. All tours and scheduled content are expected to be completed by 4:30 pm.
“BILSA is excited to host the Dairy Summit for the third time. We are especially eager to provide attendees with the opportunity to explore the facilities where cutting-edge agricultural research is conducted during the guided tours.” says Carolyn Keller, interim dean of UW–Platteville, BILSA.
Register and view the complete schedule, including a listing of all speakers, at dairyinnovationhub.wisc.edu/dairy-summit
DETAILS:
DAIRY SUMMIT AGENDA – Nov. 17, Velzy Commons, Ullsvik Hall, UW– Platteville
- 9 a.m. – Registration, posters, and continental breakfast
- 9:45 a.m. – Welcome comments, UW–Platteville Chancellor Tammy Evetovich
- 10 a.m. – Farmer panel
- 11:15 a.m. – Research “lightning sessions”
- 12:15 p.m. – Lunch and networking
- 1 p.m. – Poster showcase and themed roundtables
- 2:00-4:30 – On-campus tours (four sites, small groups rotate through sites)
- 4:30 – adjourn
In just six years, this unique initiative has funded more than 300 research and outreach projects across three campuses and four priority areas.
The Dairy Innovation Hub, is supported by a $7.8M annual state investment to drive research and development across the UW–Madison, UW–Platteville, and UW–River Falls campuses, ensuring that Wisconsin’s $52.8 billion dairy community remains a global pacesetter in producing nutritious dairy products. This is all accomplished with a keen focus on economic, environmental, and social sustainability.
Contact: Maria Woldt, Dairy Innovation Hub director, (608) 265-4009, maria.woldt@wisc.edu.