This week, 28 New York dairy promoters representing 19 counties gathered with ADA North East to beef up their communications skills and dairy knowledge at the annual training seminar as they prepare to represent New York’s more than 3,400 dairy farmers and promote milk and dairy products to consumers.
“The training seminar made me realize the awesome opportunities available to me through the ambassador program,” said Rensselaer County Dairy Ambassador Terrie Cottrell. “I’ve been involved in dairy promotion for 13 years and I am looking forward to representing my county this year. I also really enjoyed learning more about the Fuel Up to Play 60 program and have some ideas of getting the program started in schools near me.”
ADA North East CEO John Chrisman opened the seminar with a checkoff explanation and update. Current New York State Ambassador Gabby Taylor and Associate Ambassadors Katie Jasmin and Annika Donlick then worked with ADA North East staff to provide breakout sessions for the county promoters to prepare for their year ahead.
Topics included:
- Dairy nutrition information, including an update on the 13 essential nutrients in milk
- Fuel Up to Play 60 update with instructions for establishing programs in local schools
- Fill a Glass with Hope® donation options and ideas for promoting the program
- Tactical messaging to ensure promoters are using key information related to nutrition, cow comfort and sustainability
- Public speaking and media interview training
- Virtual Farm Tour and educational programs offered by ADA North East
- Retail marketing update that included a trip to Tops Friendly Markets for the 18 chaperones who attended
- Dress code requirements for all county promoters
- Chaperone session to learn to enhance county program participation hosted by Onondaga County chair Heidi Kovalewski
ADA North East manages the New York State Dairy Ambassador program, while providing support to the five other states’ promotion programs in the region.
