Dairy Alliance Discussion Groups

Discussion groups are now forming in southcentral and western Pennsylvania

About the program:

Penn State Dairy Alliance, in cooperation with Penn State Dairy Extension educators, is currently forming discussion groups for dairy producers in south-central and western Pennsylvania who want an opportunity to meet regularly so they may network and learn from each other. The goal is to bring producers together in an informal atmosphere to focus on topics of particular interest to them.

Discussion groups can be beneficial in many ways. They provide producers an opportunity to talk with other producers to exchange ideas and experiences. Producers can learn from their peers with similar interests, share information about ‘real world’ dairying, and get new ideas to make their own operations or herds even better. They also offer producers an important social outlet, as well as the opportunity to develop professional relationships.

Do you want healthier cows? Join a discussion group focused on cow health. Do you want more profit? Join a group focused on improving business practices and the bottom line. The potential list of topics are endless. Groups will be formed based on producer need. It is anticipated that groups will be comprised of 6-10 producers and will meet up to six times per year for approximately two hours per session. There is no charge to participate in the discussion groups. The only cost to a producer is for his/her meal if the group chooses to meet over breakfast, lunch or dinner.

About the facilitator:

Dave Hileman, a leader in the Pennsylvania dairy industry and a life-long dairy producer from Tyrone, Pa., in Blair County, has joined the Dairy Alliance team to facilitate the discussion groups. Dave will help form the discussion groups by identifying producers with similar interests in similar locations, and will assist in making certain that the logistical needs of the groups are met.

Dave Hileman operated Hilecrest Farms, which consisted of 700 acres of cropland and 450 milking cows and 300 replacements. Dave’s expertise and influence in the industry have been recognized with several honors, including the Pennsylvania Dairy Stakeholders Pacesetter Award, the Pennsylvania Dairy Association Charles E. Cowen Memorial Award, and the Country Folks newspaper’s Keystone Farmer of the Year Award. Hilecrest Farms is also a past recipient of the Blair County Chamber of Commerce Excellence in Small Business Award.

Dave has held director and officer positions in many local, state, and national organizations. In addition, he has been elected president or chairman of numerous boards of directors, including president of Genex Cooperative board of directors and chairman of Cooperative Resources International board of directors. He is also a past president of the Master Farmers’ Association and the Professional Dairy Managers of Pennsylvania.

In April 2008, Dave sold Hilecrest dairy operations and 300 acres to a neighboring dairy producer, but remains active as a management consultant for Hilecrest LLC and facilitates the biweekly managers’ meetings. He and wife Janet are members of St. John’s Lutheran Church of Sinking Valley and the Sinking Valley Grange.

To participate in this program:

There is no fee to participate in discussion groups. The only fee to the producer is the cost of his/her meal if the group chooses to meet for breakfast, lunch, or dinner. Because discussion groups will be formed locally around specific topics, we ask that you complete a survey to indicate your location and discussion topics of interest to you.

You may complete the survey in one of two ways:

Complete the survey online. <Click here to access the online survey.>

Complete a paper copy of the producer survey. <Click here to print out a paper copy of the survey> or call the Dairy Alliance office at 888-373-7232 to receive a paper copy by mail. Then return the paper copy by Fax: 814-865-4686, or mail it to: Dave Hileman, Penn State Dairy Alliance, 324 Henning Building, University Park, PA, 16802.

For more information:

Contact the Dairy Alliance office, toll-free, at 888-373-7232. Or via email at: askdairyalliance@psu.edu. You may also contact facilitator Dave Hileman directly at 814-684-1498 or at hilecrest@keyconn.net.