The National 4-H Dairy Conference has been happening since 1974. Charlie Crave, the president of the Wisconsin 4-H Foundation, has been a part of the conference for the last 25 years. This conference started in Chicago then moved to Madison where it still is today.
Crave says,” The program is designed to supplement what youth might learn from their county fair or from showing. The conference coincides with the World Dairy Expo and is scheduled for September 29th to October 2nd.”
Information On The Conference
Crave explains that at the conference there are mixers so kids can meet others from around the country and from Canada. They also get the chance to meet professionals from various jobs within the dairy industry. Those who attend also get the chance to go to various farms including Bull Studs and the Crave Brothers Farm, which ends with a dance in one of their sheds.
To go about signing up for the conference, Crave says that those interested should talk to their county youth agent and they can also sign up online at National 4-H Dairy Conference. The cost is $650 dollars, but the local youth agents can help with financial help to attend the conference. The $650 pays for all the meals, transportation, and their stay at the Mariott West in Middleton.
“The event is very well chaperoned, and we have good conversations with parents before the conference to answer any questions that parents may have about the event.”
This event is for high school aged students, preferably Freshmen or Sophomores before varsity sports take hold. Crave also added that if you are showing at the World Dairy Expo, then you are not eligible to attend the event as you would not get the full experience of the event that the sponsors help pay for. They look forward to seeing lots of youth excited to learn about the dairy industry.
