The IDFA NextGEN Dairy Network featured Jim Carper, editor-in-chief of Dairy Foods magazine, in an interview last week, just in time to mark the network’s one-year anniversary. With more than 200 members to date, the NextGEN Dairy Network offers a variety of professional development opportunities, including an annual leadership symposium, and forums for in-person and online networking for employees of IDFA members companies.

The network was created by IDFA to help professionals with less than 15 years of experience in the dairy industry to connect with industry peers, enhance their careers and prepare for leadership opportunities within their companies and the industry. The IDFA website features a password-protected section specifically for network members that includes a member spotlight, photo gallery, articles of interest on marketing and professional development, and the“10 Questions With . . . ” segment that highlights interesting people in the dairy industry. For this segment, IDFA most recently quizzed Carper of Dairy Foods.

Next Big Trend in Dairy?

To develop a successful career in dairy, Carper advised fellow members to “work for the companies that hire the brightest people. Surround yourself with colleagues who will challenge you to be great every single day.” He also commented on what he sees as the next big trend in the industry, shared his favorite dairy product and discussed what he likes most about his job.

Read “10 Questions With Jim Carper.”

Next up for the NextGEN Dairy Network is a “Cocktails and Convo” happy hour that IDFA will host next week in conjunction with Regulatory RoundUP and Advocacy Days in Washington, D.C. It will be held June 16, and attendance is free for all members.

IDFA also invites members to register for the NextGEN Symposium, October 6-8, at Cornell University in Ithaca, N.Y. View the full program here. For a personal perspective on the benefits of attending, read “NextGEN Symposium One of the Best Work Conferences Ever,” by Chelsee Woodey, director of legislative affairs for IDFA and NextGEN member.

If you qualify and you’re not yet a member of the NextGEN Dairy Network, IDFA invites you to register today. For more information on the network, read NextGEN FAQs or contact Robin Cornelison, IDFA trade show director, at rcornelison@idfa.org.