Gen Z Future Farmers Share Their Passion for Dairy

As one generation of dairy farmers see retirement on the horizon, who are the next generation farmers taking over the responsibility of feeding the world? During National Dairy Month, five local Gen Z students share with us their aspirations to continue in the family footsteps and carry on the tradition of dairy farming.

Tori Reese – Horseheads, New York

Tori Reese feels right at home at the milking parlor at Lantland Farms. She enjoys milking cows because it keeps her connected to the animals and she gets a daily reminder as to where milk comes from. A junior at Cornell University, Tori is studying Agricultural Sciences.

Connor Ranck – Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania

A senior at Cornell University, Connor Ranck says caring for the land and working with crops to feed cows sustainably is a dream! So now he’s working toward that goal pursuing a degree in Agricultural Sciences.

Lainey Koval – Stillwater, New York

Feeding dairy cows and sustainability go hand-in-hand. Watch Lainey Koval’s guide to these agricultural wonders. This sophomore at Cornell University hopes to be a part of America’s farming future someday at her family farm, Koval Brothers Dairy, LLC.

Kara Stultz – Belleville, Pennsylvania

Former Pennsylvania Alternate Dairy Princess (2018-2019) Kara Stultz has been active on the family farm from an early age. Dairy farming has helped shape her into the person she is today! In between pursuing a degree in Animal Sciences with a minor in Agronomy, this Penn State senior can be found at Hike ‘Em Up Holsteins in Belleville, Pa., feeding calves and milking cows.

Gabby Taylor – Newark, New York

At 8-years-old, Gabby Taylor got her first show calf. She’s been raising and showing her own dairy cattle ever since!  As our 2022 New York State Dairy Ambassador, Gabby regularly shares information on how dairy farmers care for their land and animals, while producing milk, through her social media channels on Instagram and Facebook. Gabby is starting her freshman year at St. Bonaventure this fall, pursuing a degree in Communications.