Eleven Alfred State students competed at the Northeast Regional Dairy Challenge held at Greek Peak Mountain Resort in Cortland, NY. Ninety-eight students from thirteen universities gathered to take part in the event.
Students were assigned to teams of five and were tasked to perform a full farm analysis of local dairy operations complete with a presentation containing a SWOT (Strength, Weakness, Opportunity, and Threat) analysis and recommendations to improve the operation including financial implications.
Each team included students from other universities to encourage networking and working with others. Teams were assigned to one of two farms.
Alfred State was represented by Patience Batterson (Coudersport, PA), Thomas Caine (Ontario, NY), Brooke DeCarlo (Narrowsburg, NY), Cristina Earley (Barton, NY), Braydyn Gerrity (Bath, NY), Lily Hess (Millerton, PA), Hannah Holmes (East Concord, NY), Lucy Pilkington (Pittsford, NY), James Starowitz (Bergen, NY), Gabby Szczesniak (Conesus, NY), and Henry Winters (Medina, NY).
Thomas Caine and James Starowtiz were part of first place teams for their respective farms.
Agriculture lecturer Morgan McLean led the students on the trip. “Events like this are great opportunities for our students to take what they are learning in the classroom and apply in a real-world setting. I am proud of their efforts and look forward to their growth in events like these in the future.”
The National Dairy Challenge will be hosted by Michigan State University March 31-April 2 in Lansing, Michigan.
