YDLI 10 - Phase 1, Day 4: Focus on Communication and Planning for Phase 2!

The final day of YDLI 10 Phase 1 training wrapped up on Saturday in Phoenix. The opening speaker, Mark Mayfield, got the day started on a high note with "Momma Told Me There'd Be Days Like This - Finding Stability in Stressful Times". Mayfield got the group laughing with his humorous stories, while several great tips to help address and manage stress in our everyday lives.

Mark Mayfield

Next, YDLI alum Michele Ruby took the stage to lead a workshop called "You've Got a Story Worth Telling," where the focus was on helping everyone develop their "core story" - the "why" of what we do. Whether having a conversation with a consumer in the dairy aisle of the grocery story, via a media interview or a presentation to a community organization, leading with your core story can help dairy producers connect with the general public in a meaningful and memorable way.

Michele Ruby & Adam Geiger

Michelle Craig tells the class her core story.

 After lunch, the group received some solid training on developing impactful presentations, lead by Laura Daniels and Kim Bremmer. The duo walked the group through the different learning styles people have, and how elements of each can be incorporated into a presentation to ensure that a speaker can connect with every member of an audience in a way that works for them. Participants learned the basic components of assembling a presentation, and worked on an outline for the community presentation that they will make as a part of their Phase 2 assignments.

Laura Daniels listens to ideas from Aaron Harris and Maija Haggith

YDLI Advisory Committee member Jessica Getty listens to her group during the presentation workshop.

Finally, the group re-organized into their peer groups and got down to business discussing ideas for their Phase 2 community projects. The room was full of energy and enthusiasm, and lots of great (and big!) ideas - we can't wait to see what this class accomplishes over the next 12 months!

Holstein Association USA CEO John M. Meyer speaks with one of the tables at YDLI.

YDLI 10 Class Picture

 The evening wrapped up with a closing banquet, and Mark Mayfield joined the group again for some final laughs.

The Holstein Foundation would like to recognize and thank the sponsors of Saturday's programs - John Deere; Dairy Management, Inc.; Land O'Lakes, Inc.; and Allflex USA.

To learn more about the YDLI program, visit the Holstein Foundation web site.