Young Cooperators
Are you a member, member relative or member employee looking to gain insight into the cooperative’s inner workings, connect with industry leaders and network with other young members?
Individuals and couples between the ages of 18 and 40 are encouraged to join Maryland & Virginia’s Young Cooperator (YC) program. This educational program, designed specifically for young dairy producers, offers a better understanding of the needs and problems facing milk marketing cooperatives.
Interested in joining our YC family?
Contact Daniela Roland at (703) 742-7449 or droland@mdvamilk.com.
Events
Whether we’re touring farms or meeting with congressional representatives on Capitol Hill, Maryland & Virginia YCs have numerous leadership building, educational and networking opportunities throughout the calendar year. We invite you to join us at our next YC event.
2020 Outstanding Young Cooperators -- Hannah and Justin Watt
Justin and his wife, Hannah, along with their daughters Rosemary and Annabelle, live on MD Cedar Knoll Farm in Keymar, Maryland. The farm, which consists of 160 registered Holsteins, is owned by Justin’s parents, Jerry and Barb. Justin took over the farm in 2018 when his father retired.
The Watts farm 850 acres of owned and rented land where they grown corn, soybeans, wheat, rye and oats. Being sustainable is important to the Watts and several years ago, they installed solar panels on their farm. They have eight solar panels with 60 photovoltaic cells that can generate around 180 kilowatts of energy.
Off the farm, Justin is a member of the Carroll County Farm Bureau, Carroll County and Maryland Holstein Association, Carroll County Ag Center and Fair Board and the Carroll County Ag Commission. Justin has been active in Maryland & Virginia’s YC program since 2014 and he previously served on the cooperative’s Leadership Council.
