Max Shenkenberg and Aubrey Schlimgen: Perspectives from young adults working on dairy farms

In this episode of the Progressive Dairy Podcast, guest host and Progressive Dairy editorial intern Michelle Stangler visits with two young adults who work on dairy farms – Max Shenkenberg and Aubrey Schlimgen – about how Schlimgen's experiences of growing up on a dairy farm and Shenkenberg's experience not being involved in the dairy industry until college have both led them to where they are today. Listen in to hear what it’s like as a young adult being part of the dairy community, what ideas they contribute, and how they are advocating for dairy and young people alike.

Here’s a breakdown of the episode:

• Overview of their involvement in the dairy industry [~0:40] 
• Shenkenberg’s first experience in the dairy industry [~1:28] 
• How the World Dairy Expo showed Shenkenberg what opportunities are available in the dairy industry [~2:08] 
• Why he majored in dairy science [~2:22] 
• What Shenkenberg has learned from college that has been helpful in his full-time role as a herd manager [~3:47] 
• Valuable opportunities during college [~4:29] 
• Schlimgen’s reasoning for taking a few years off from college after high school graduation [~5:34] 
• Mindset when balancing leadership positions while being on the farm [~7:56] 
• Managing logistics on the farm – both maintaining relationships and working with family [~9:37] 
• What the full-time role looks like for Shenkenberg, in addition to challenges day to day [~10:53] 
• Specific challenges as a young adult on the dairy farm for Shenkenberg [~13:34]
• Positions after college graduation [~14:56] 
• Schlimgen’s typical week working on the dairy farm [~16:21] 
• How she’s overcoming challenges [~18:41] 
• Young perspectives brought to the dairy industry [~21:17] 
• Schlimgen’s perspective [~23:02] 
• Contributed ideas led to more technology on the farm [~25:30] 
• Ways Shenkenberg is advocating for the dairy industry, specifically with social media [~28:23] 
• Favorite TikTok video created [~30:37] 
• Feedback from videos [~31:12] 
• Ways Schlimgen advocates for the dairy industry on social media [~32:12] 
• What it looks like serving in leadership positions for Schlimgen [~34:19] 
• What fuels Schlimgen to stay involved in the dairy industry [~35:24] 
• Shenkenberg’s viewpoint [~36:45] 
• Advice Schlimgen has for getting started in the dairy industry [~38:38]  
• Advice after not growing up on a dairy farm from Shenkenberg [~40:14] 
• Rapid-fire questions [~41:48]