IDFA and Cornell University are partnering this fall to offer the NextGEN Symposium, a leadership development opportunity for members of IDFA’s NextGEN Dairy Network. Working alongside IDFA staff is Tristan Zuber, dairy foods extension associate at Cornell, who grew up on a dairy farm in Western New York and earned a dual degree in food science and animal science at the university.

“My eyes were then opened to many careers outside of dairy production when I attended the 2005 IDFA Dairy Forum and realized the globalization and innovation within dairy occurring beyond the farm gate, “Zuber said in this month’s “10 Questions With” segment for the NextGEN website. “This career path has allowed me to be part of an ever-changing and growing industry, while still maintaining my roots in a business I love."

Zuber advises NextGEN members to develop an understanding of the entire industry, from the farm level through the distribution of products. “I have found it extremely useful to understand the dairy industry’s raw ingredient in various aspects of my position,” she said, adding that attending industry events is a great way to learn more about the issues and challenges facing dairy foods companies.  

“I think it would be wonderful if more young professionals attended these events to learn more about the industry as a whole,” Zuber said. “The NexGEN Symposium in October provides attendees with this opportunity by visiting a New York State Dairy farm,” as well as Cornell’s dairy processing plant and product development center.

To learn more about Zuber and to read the full interview, visit the NextGEN Dairy Network on the IDFA website.

The “10 Questions With” segment features professionals in the dairy industry who discuss their involvement in the industry, future dairy trends and advice for colleagues in similar fields. This segment is just one way that the NextGEN Dairy Network provides professional development and networking opportunities to its members.

IDFA’s NextGEN Dairy Network welcomes dairy professionals with less than fifteen years of experience in the industry. To date, more than 170 professionals have joined the network, which launched in May.

The NextGEN Symposium, October 6-8, at Cornell University in Ithaca, N.Y., will feature a diverse array of exposure to the dairy industry, from production to processing to supply chain distribution. It is designed to enhance professional development, networking and leadership skills in a way that will help dairy professionals drive change within an organization.

Register for the symposium here.

Members with questions about the NextGEN Dairy Network or Symposium may contact Robin Cornelison, IDFA trade show director, at rcornelison@idfa.org. Contact Zuber at tjz2@cornell.edu.