Lindsey Worden
Communications Manager
Holstein USA
2004 Scholarship Recipient – Where is she in 2009?
I’m Lindsey Worden, and I was proud to receive the NHWSO scholarship in 2004. I spent most of my school years living on a 1,500 cow dairy in Lovington, New Mexico, where my family milked Registered Holsteins and Jerseys. I was heavily involved in 4-H, and enjoyed participating in dairy judging and dairy bowl, as well as exhibiting my cattle at local and state shows. Knowing that I wanted to pursue a career in the dairy industry and participate in dairy judging at a collegiate level, and after visiting Madison, Wisconsin for World Dairy Expo, I made the decision to attend the University of Wisconsin-Madison, where I majored in Dairy Science and Life Science Communications. I was thankful to receive the NHWSO scholarship, which helped me offset the costs of out-of-state tuition.
While in college, I was active with the Association of Women in Agriculture (AWA), Badger Dairy Club, and was a member of the judging team. All of these organizations helped shape me, and prepared me for my post-college career just as much as my classes did! I had the chance to attend conferences to meet other young adults in the industry and attend the Royal Winter Fair in Canada. Some of my best memories (and friends!) were made on the judging team. We spent several hours every week in the fall preparing for contests, where I got to see some of the best cattle in Wisconsin at our practice farms. One of my proudest moments was being named the High Individual Overall and placing first as a team at the All-American Judging Contest in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania my junior year. I also had the chance to judge at the Louisville and World Dairy Expo competitions.
I completed two summer internships, the first with the University of Wisconsin Extension working with Dairy Youth programs, and the other with the Holstein Foundation in Brattleboro, Vermont. Graduating from UW in May 2007, I was fortunate to be offered and accept a position with Holstein Association USA in Brattleboro, as Public Relations Specialist. I now serve as Communications Manager, where I’m responsible for producing our quarterly member magazine, the Holstein Pulse, writing press releases, managing our company Web site, advertising, and trade show participation. I also spend part of my time working with the Holstein Foundation on various youth and young adult programs, which I really enjoy. I appreciate the opportunity to work with and serve our members, and travel to various industry events and meet new people.
I’d like to thank the National Holstein Women’s Scholarship Organization for helping me pursue my dreams, and also all of the other young people that you’ve helped over the years! Holstein youth are fortunate to have an organization that offers the support that HNWSO does.
Natalie Keene
Marketing Assistant and Embryo Sales Coordinator
World Wide Sires, Ltd.
2004 Scholarship Recipient – Where is she in 2009?
After graduating from Virginia Tech in May 2007 with a degree in Dairy Science and Agricultural Economics, I began working for World Wide Sires as a Marketing Assistant. Our headquarters are located in Visalia, California and our company represents Accelerated Genetics and Select Sires in Europe, Africa, Asia, the Middle East and Oceania.
In this position, my responsibilities include assisting with market support, research and development for the 70 markets that WWS actively covers. In addition, I write press releases, prepare other promotional materials, aid Area Marketing Directors with customer support, and conduct tours for international guests. I work with large herd customers in the Middle East to pedigree mate their cows, mating almost 400,000 cows last year. I also coordinate WWS international embryo sales and assist with developing training and development programs. One of the most exciting projects I have coordinated is the development of an online dairy learning center for our global distributors, salesmen and customers, “World Wide Sires University”. Since introducing this resource last year, we’ve enrolled over 350 users from 45 countries.
This position has given me the opportunity to travel throughout the United States and abroad, and I have gained a lot of valuable experience and contacts. Outside of my role at World Wide Sires, I serve on two National Dairy Shrine committees and volunteer as the Dairy Jeopardy moderator for the Holstein Foundation at the National Holstein Convention. I’ve also assisted with the Western Dairy Challenge competition. I still own a few cows at our family farm and remain involved on my family’s Holstein operation by assisting with mating decisions and working on promotional projects.
Sarah Olson Schmidt
Print & Internet Advertising for Holstein World
2004 Scholarship Recipient – Where is she in 2008?
Based out of a home office in Southwest MN, I work with breeders from across the country to market and promote their genetics online and in the Holstein World magazine each month. My responsibilities also include writing stories and news items from time to time.
My husband Kelly, 8-mth-old daughter Aubree and I raise a small herd of beef cows on our 12-acre farm. I currently serve on the MN Holstein Association Board of Directors and volunteer as a county 4-H dairy judging and quiz bowl coach. During the summer months I continue to sharpen my skills by judging a few shows each year. I remain involved on my family’s Holstein operation by completing promotional projects and registering calves.
Miranda (Miller) Johnson
Teacher ~ Student ~ 4-H Leader
2003 Scholarship Recipient – Where is she in 2008?
After receiving her scholarship and DJM Award at the 2003 National Holstein Convention, Mirandas returned to Oregon to complete her undergraduate degree at Linfield College. Miranda graduated from Linfield College in June of 2006 with majors in business, mass communications and elementary education. She was married to her husband, Justin Johnson, in September of 2006 and the two moved to Sherwood, Oregon so Miranda could be closer to her job. She has been teaching first grade in Sherwood since graduating and is currently attending George Fox University with plans to graduate in the fall of 2009 with her masters in early elementary education and literacy.
Miranda is still an active part of her family’s Holstein dairy in Tillamook, Oregon, going home on weekends and breaks to milk and work on the farm. She still owns about 12 head of registered Holsteins and enjoys show them at the county and state fairs. Miranda is also co-advisor for the Oregon Junior Holstein Association as well as a 4-H leader of the Country Kids Club, which has 25 members in 8 different projects. In her spare time Miranda enjoys traveling, spending time with family and friends, reading and scrap booking. Miranda says she is very grateful for the money she was awarded by the NHWSO scholarship committee as it greatly helped her reach her goal of being an elementary school teacher. She has enjoyed sharing her love of cows and dairy industry with the “city kids” in her classes.
