SUNY Morrisville dairy judging team reflects on international experience

Thanks to the support of the Galbreath Foundation, members of the SUNY Morrisville Dairy Judging Team had the opportunity to represent the college on an unforgettable journey through Scotland, Ireland and England, where they competed internationally and gained firsthand insight into agriculture, history and culture.

The trip began in Scotland, where the team competed in the dairy judging contest at the Royal Highland Show, one of the country's premier agricultural events. Beyond the competition, students explored Edinburgh and the historic town of St Andrews, experiencing Scotland's history and traditions.

In Ireland, the team toured local dairy farms, visited an auction house, explored Kilkenny Castle, traveled the scenic Ring of Kerry and attended the Charleville Show. Each experience gave students a deeper understanding of Irish agriculture and the unique practices that shape the industry.

The journey concluded in London, where students visited iconic landmarks, including Buckingham Palace, the London Eye and the National Gallery.

For students, traveling abroad allowed them to compare agricultural practices in different countries, meet new people, broaden their perspectives and create lasting memories while representing SUNY Morrisville on an international stage.

In a letter of appreciation to the Galbreath Foundation, team members expressed their gratitude for helping make the experience possible.

"Thank you for investing in students and making experiences like this possible," they wrote. "Your generosity has given us opportunities to learn, grow and represent our teams and communities abroad. We are truly grateful for your support."

Led by coach Jessica Kennedy, a 2016 SUNY Morrisville dairy graduate who competed on the college's dairy judging team as a student, the group gained momentum during the fall semester. They competed at three of the most prestigious dairy judging events in the country: the All-American Dairy Show in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania; the World Dairy Expo in Madison, Wisconsin; and the North American International Livestock Exhibition (NAILE) in Louisville, Kentucky. At the World Dairy Expo, the team earned a third-place team finish, along with multiple individual honors, which earned them the invitation to Scotland.

Team members are:
Jessica Kennedy, coach, of Tully
Kelly Niefergold, of Lawtons
Reese DeVito, of Avon
Megan Klossner, of Turin
Elanna Gelser, of Dalton

Niefergold and Gelser graduated this year with an associate degree in animal science - dairy and plan to continue in the college's agribusiness management bachelor's degree program.

Klossner and DeVito are pursuing bachelor's degrees in agricultural science with a specialization in dairy management.