By MELISSA HART
Michigan Correspondent

FRANKENMUTH, Mich. — The dairy industry in Michigan will have a new spark of enthusiasm, as the two newest Michigan Dairy Ambassadors were recently chosen to lead promotion efforts by coordinating educational events throughout the state.
Lynnae Slavik of Ashley, Mich., and Brittany Westendorp of Nashville, Mich., were named Senior and Junior Michigan Dairy Ambassadors, respectively, at the recent Great Lakes Regional Dairy Conference held in Frankenmuth. The senior division winner, reserved for college students up to age 22, receives a $1,500 scholarship. The junior division winner, limited to high school students, goes home with $1,000 that may be applied toward higher education or purchasing a dairy animal.
Dairying parents
Slavik, daughter of Jim and Doreen Slavik, grew up on a small family farm where everyone was involved in the operation. Dairying runs deep in her roots.
“Both my parents grew up on a dairy farm and our farm is a small family farm where our family is pretty much the labor force,” she said. “We have a few registered Holsteins but most are grade; we have not put a lot of emphasis on registered cattle.”
She had a traditional rural childhood. “I was in 4-H, where I exhibited livestock at the fair and was very involved in all aspects,” she said. “And when I graduated from high school, there was no other place for me to go to college except for Michigan State – that was where I had always wanted to go and in our household, there is no other college.”
A sophomore at MSU, Slavik is studying animal science and specializing in agribusiness. She is involved in the Block and Bridle Club, a livestock club on campus, and is taking a dairy judging class.
She explained, “I’m in the judging class to help me stay up-to-date on dairy cattle, but it’s very challenging because I know what I want to pick, and they want something different.”
When it comes to being involved in dairy promotion, Slavik credits her parents as role models.
“Growing up and around the dairy industry, I watched my parents get involved in their local and state milk cooperative, Michigan Milk Producers Association,” she said. “My mom was also very active in the United Dairy Industry of Michigan, and I wanted to get involved in promotion, too.”
To be a better communicator is one of her goals for the year as ambassador. “I want to improve my communication skills and I think being heavily involved with people in the industry as the ambassador will help me out a lot,” she commented.
“I have a passion to educate people in and out of the dairy industry. I want to educate more kids about the benefits of dairy products, and especially kids in sports.
“I’d like to have a food drive and make it a place where I could give back to the community, while promoting dairy at the same time.”
Dairy farm
Both ambassadors will be afforded the opportunity to teach young people about the value of dairy farms at an event to take place at Westendorp’s home. Mooville Creamery, owned and operated by Doug and Louisa Westendorp, Brittany’s parents, will be the destination for hundreds of urban youth this spring for “Udderly Cool Day.”
Second-, third- and fourth-grade students from the Nashville area are invited to spend a day at the farm. Plans are in the works to expose them to how milk is bottled, how ice cream is made and the intricacies of how a real farm works.
Mooville Creamery is where Westendorp’s passion for the dairy industry was fueled. “From the time I was little, I’ve shown cows and I’ve always loved it, and that’s where I got my love for the dairy industry,” she said.
Westendorp and her family have exhibited cattle at local, state and national Holstein shows and are heavily involved in the purebred dairy business. She is also on the Michigan Junior Holstein Board as a director and is in charge of coordinating the annual Dairy Fun Day for kids of all ages throughout the state. At home on the farm, she has specific responsibilities, much like her five siblings.
“We have a petting zoo at the creamery and I take care of that, and I also feed calves and milk the cows when it’s my turn,” she explained.
As a sophomore at Maple Valley High School, Westendorp has led by example in milk consumption.
“Getting kids to drink more milk has not been a problem in our school – they took the pop machines out, so all we have is water and milk, and every chance I get, I volunteer to provide milk or ice cream for school events,” she said.
Applying to be the Michigan Dairy Ambassador was a two-way street. “I’ve been able to go on trips and to benefit from being involved in the dairy industry; I just wanted to have a place to give back all I’ve received and for other people, especially kids, to see what there is out there for them to do and see,” she explained.
“Through 4-H and the Holstein Association, I’ve gone to national events and I want others to know how great this industry is.”
Her promotional efforts for the year will focus on youth, but Westendorp has a desire to interact with the older generation, as well.
“I would like to have a place to visit with senior citizens to remind them of the healthful benefits of milk for their bodies, and I would also like to talk to them about their memories of their experiences of life on the farm,” she said.
As for herself, she added, “I’d like to see a productive change in the future of the dairy industry.”
‘Passionate’ about industry
Former Senior Michigan Dairy Ambassador Ashley Messing of Bad Axe, Mich., said, “Although Lynnae and Brittany come from different backgrounds, they both bring strength to the ambassador program.
They are both passionate about the dairy industry and they are passionate about representing the dairy industry.
“They will do a fine job over the next year and I cannot wait to see the mark they will leave.”
The ambassadors were chosen after an intense selection process, which included personal and group interviews with industry professionals.
The two will have an opportunity to strengthen their leadership skills as they promote dairy products, the industry and dairying throughout the state.
“It is exciting to see young people eager to share their passion for the dairy industry with others,” says Sara Long, a member of the Great Lakes Regional Dairy Conference executive committee and architect of the Michigan Dairy Ambassador Scholarship and Leadership Program.
“This program provides young people with a unique opportunity to network with industry members, develop professional skills and explore their interests as they engineer innovating and engaging promotional activities.
We, as an industry, are fortunate to have young people like Lynnae and Brittany working on our behalf.”