GYDF Emoos
2020 | Spring Edition
Upcoming Events

  • June 5 - Virtual State 4-H Dairy Quiz Bowl Competition
  • June - National Dairy Month
  • July - National Ice Cream Month

Thanks for Subscribing!

Thanks for opening our 2020 Spring edition of the GDYF E-moos.

We hope you will take a moment to read about the great programs our youth are participating in. We are so proud of the hard work these kids put into 4-H and FFA dairy activities!!
Things look different than in years past, but like others, we are trying to move forward in new and different ways. Stay connected with GDYF through Facebook, Instagram and Snapchat.
2020 State Commercial Dairy Heifer Show
Written by Dr. Jillian Bohlen, UGA
Heifers for the State Commercial Dairy Heifer Show in Perry weighed in on February 19th with 228 total, which is remarkably the same number as 2019, crossing the scales and 196 young people proudly bringing them there.

Showmanship was a daylong event that began bright and early on February 20th. Serving as judge for both Showmanship on the 20th and weight classes on the 21st was Craig Padgett of Kentucky. Craig is a lifelong contributor to the dairy community serving in realms from fitter to hoof trimmer. Additionally, he is a well-respected judge serving in such capacity at the state and national level.

Congratulations to all of the youth that participated in this event and demonstrated the hard work they put into their projects. The dedication was evident from young people, parents, agents, advisers, and dairy producers. Special thank you to the farmers that loaned out heifers for this program - your generosity and support will forever impact the lives of these exhibitors. Show highlights include:
Showmanship :
Master 4-H Showman:
Maggie Harper, Morgan County 4H, 7th grade

Supreme FFA Showman:
Alyssa Ashurst, Gilmer County FFA, 11th grade

4th grade - Sara Morgan Sapp
Burke County 4H

5th grade - Audrey Williams
Morgan County 4H

6th grade - Luke Huff
Oglethorpe County Middle FFA

7th grade - Olivia Vanderwalt
Lee County Middle FFA

8th grade - Laurel Christopher
White County Middle FFA

9th grade - Ashlyn Reddick
Burke County, FFA

10th grade - Octavia Bushey
Gilmer County FFA

11th grade - Alyssa Ashurst
Gilmer County FFA

12th grade - Mackenzie Jones
Putnam County FFA

Congratulations to everyone that competed this year with the Commercial Dairy Heifer Project!
Show Results:
Division 1 (250-399 pounds)
Champion - Alyssa Ashurst
Gilmer County FFA
Reserve - Jessi Lynn Strickland
Burke County FFA

Division 2 (401-485 pounds)
Champion-Brintlie Flowers
Whitfield County 4-H
Reserve-Maggie Carson
Jones County FFA

Division 3 (487-602 pounds)
Champion-Michael Bushey
Clear Creek FFA
Reserve-Jack Keener
Clear Creek, FFA

Division 4 (604-812 pounds)
Champion-Emma Newberry
Oconee County High FFA
Reserve-Fisher Hopkins
Rutland Middle, FFA

The Overall Top Five for Show:
Champion-Michael Bushey
Clear Creek FFA
Reserve-Emma Newberry
Oconee CountyHigh FFA
3rd-Alyssa Ashurst, Gilmer County, FFA
4th-Jack Keener, Clear Creek, FFA
5th-Fisher Hopkins, Rutland Middle, FFA

The Overall Top Five County Groups:
Champion-Gilmer FFA
Reserve-Burke 4H/FFA
3rd-Burke 4H/FFA
4th-Rutland High FFA
5th White County FFA
GDYF's Spring Dress-A-Cow Contest Was A Blast
Check out the creative costumes that over 30 dairy exhibitors designed for the 2020 GDYF Dress-A-Cow contest. This voluntary program is held each year the day before our Commercial Dairy Heifer State Show begins. It's a great way to have fun and de-stress before the big event. We had spectators from all species. Good job everyone!!   Check out of Facebook page for photos!
Highlights from State Show
Dress-A-Cow Contest

  • 30 competed for the Dress-A-Cow Contest. 
  • It was a difficult task to pick winners. 
  • Everyone that competed brought their game... and were highly creative!
  • Thanks to all that competed! 
  • YOU ARE ALL WINNERS

Thank to our judges Brittini Dees, Nicole Duvall, Montana Dyer and Karen Glascock



 Junior Class 8-10 years old  
1st place -- Lil 'Swiss Miss and Swiss Moche: Sara Morgan, 4th grade, Burke County
2nd place -- Ice Cream Truck: Adyson Bridges, 7th grade, Lee County
3rd place -- Elsie/Borden Cow, Abi Ullom, Coweta County

Intermediate Class 12-13 years old
1st place -- Hawaiian Punch, Halle Pierce, 8th grade Hall County
2nd place -- Armor of the Lord, Sydney Coble, 8th grade, Burke County
3rd place -- Peace Pie, Brintlie FLowers, 8th grade, Whitfield County

Senior Class 14 years and older
1st place -- Cruella Deville/101 Dalamations, Madison Whaley, 12th grade, Peach County
2nd place -- Astronaut, Abby Hulsey, 10th grade, Hall County
3rd place -- Tacky Tourist, Dylan New, 12th grade, Morgan County

GDYF Selects 2020
Junior Board of Directors

Seven individuals were selected to serve on the 2020 Georgia Dairy Youth Foundation Junior Board during the Georgia Junior Livestock Show in Perry, Georgia.  

Congratulations to those selected to serve:

Top : left to right
  • Abby Joyner, Burke County
  • Jennifer Brinton, Coweta County
  • Keshon Winns, Burke County
  • Ashlyn Reddick, Burke County
Bottom: left to right
  • Eliza Jane Glover, White County
  • Savannah Helton, White County
  • Alysa Wright, Barrow County

The board members were selected following an application process and interview at the UGA Dairy Science Club show in Athens, Georgia. 

The members of the GDYF Junior Board will strive to connect dairy youth with the opportunities provided through GDYF. Through leadership and fundraising, the board will work to promote interest in Georgia dairy programs and help GDYF best serve young people interested in dairy activities.
GDYF Annual Auction
Successful at
2020 GA Dairy Conference

The annual Georgia Dairy Youth Foundation fundraising auction looked a little different this year. The conference format changed some, so we held our silent auction in conjunction with the meetings. Attendees and exhibitors were able to bid during breaks. The silent auction was a success and we appreciate all the items that were given to make this happen. The auction raised $15,000!
Double Par Wins the 10th Annual
GDYF Golf Tournament
Seventy-two golfers took advantage of a cool spring day for golf on May 8th at the 10th Annual Georgia Dairy Youth Foundation Golf Tournament in Bishop. Many thanks to our sponsors and golfers who supported the event.

General tournament sponsors were:
Dr. Larry and Rachel Guthrie
Sue and Sam Mosley
Ag South Farm Credit
Embry Farm Services
Chick-fil-a
Bagwell Insurance Company

After registering and receiving goody bags with donations from The Dairy Alliance, golfers ate lunch sponsored by Chick-fil-a on Epps Bridge. During the tournament, golfers also enjoyed ice cream and milk provided by Mountain Fresh Creamery. 

The 2020 Tournament was held in memory of H. B. "Bud" Wiley, Jr. (1944-2012) who was an avid dairy farmer and pivotal in organizing the first two golf tournaments for GDYF. Thank you to the GDYF Golf Committee and Kellay Watson for their work in planning and executing this successful event. We also appreciate those that volunteered, including the GDYF Junior Board members!
Tee & Green Sponsors  
South State Bank
Team Dairy, Southeast Ag Services
Walton EMC Natural Gas
AgGeorgia Farm Credit
Larry Glover
The Family of Companies: Oglethorpe Power, Georgia Transmission, Georgia System Operations
My Pool Pal, Reece Gilmer
Georgia Farm Bureau
Seneca Dairy Systems, Dennis Hawkins
GA Agribusiness Council
Yoder Family Farm, Lee Yoder
Steve Crumley Team, Holly's Bed & Breakfast
Bagwell Insurance
Godfrey Dairy Farm
Double Par-Collins, Batson, Mitchell, Wilkes


Hole Sponsors
Team Dairy, Southeast Ag
Country Financial, Gail Wiley
Carl A. Blount Insurance Agency
Agri-King, Inc.
Griffin Warehouse Millen LLC
Windy Creek Dairy
Holly's Bed & Breakfast
Muddy H. Holstein
Rider Transport, Inc.
Rider Towing
Rider Farm
B & B Dairy
Ag Central
London Farms
Glo-Crest Dairy
Mountain Fresh Creamery
Hammond Septic Tank
Donacin Dairy, Roger Yoder


2020 Southeast Dairy Youth Retreat - Canceled

We are incredibly sad to let you all know that the 2020 Southeast Dairy Youth Retreat is canceled. The very fluid situation surrounding COVID-19 in addition to the nature of the event (large group from several states and numerous families) made it impossible to safely hold the retreat. We will keep you updated as plans are made for the 2021 SEDYR! Please help spread this message.

Emma Newberry starts
next Chapter!

Emma Newberry was honored at the 2020 State Show. Emma served on the Georgia Dairy Youth Junior Board for 4 years. She is a familiar face around the barn and ring. She served our Board well with her contagious spirit and hard work. We wish Emma the best as she enters the University of Georgia.

Everyone that knows Emma... knows that she is will do great things as she pursues her Ag major.Congratulations Emma 2020 Senior!
GA Dairy Youth ALSO Excel Outside of the Show Ring!!
CHECK OUT THESE ACCOMPLISHMENTS:
Congrats to the White County FFA Dairy Judging Team on their 1st place win at ABAC! Best wishes as you compete at the national competition this fall!!

Congratulations Jennifer Brinton - 2020 Student Spotlight for Dairy at GA Junior State Livestock Show.

Benjamin "Cass" Benson, Hunter Swartz, Dawson Fields, Tina Green, and Garry Henderson on their Georgia Dairy Memorial Scholarships.

Margaret Winn Carnes, Maddie Dean, Eliza Jane Glover, Anniston Hall, Ethan Hyers, Darby Masters, Savannah Page, Jordan Pritchett, Jonathan Smith, Mason Wall - Congratulations to these 10 individuals that have been named to the 2020 Georgia National Livestock Ambassador Team!

Jorja Cooper - Former GDYF Junior Board Officer received the HD Thames Scholarship. Jorja is part of the Animal and Dairy Science Department at UGA pursuing an Ag industry degree. Congratulations Jorja!

Alyssa Rauton recently received the inaugrual Rebecca and Louis Boyd Scholarship. Alyssa, a past GDYF Junior Board Officer, is completing her third year at UGA and is from Waynesboro, GA. Alyssa has assisted with many community service projects through the UGA Dairy Science Club and UGA Block and Bridle Club. She has worked both at the UGA Teaching Dairy as well as at the UGA Poultry Research Farm. She plans to attend vet school following graduation and hopes to one day work for the USDA as a consulting veterinarian for dairy farmers across the state of Georgia.


We want to feature more accomplishments from our GDYF members!! Please email those to use for our Summer issue by July 30th. Send to Farrah Newberry at gamilkproducers@gmail.com.
GDYF Junior Membership is Free!
Youth interested in dairy activities in Georgia now have the opportunity to become Junior Members of Georgia Dairy Youth Foundation free of charge! This membership provides youth ages 18 and under the chance to see what GDYF is doing to help them succeed in various activities throughout the year. Junior Members receive the quarterly newsletter with updates about competitions, shows and ways they can get involved. To fill out the membership form,  click here.
GA DAIRY YOUTH FOUNDATION | www.gadyf.com