Daily Pioneer News

PLATTEVILLE- Even though University of Wisconsin-Platteville junior Rob Sjoerdsma doesn't live on a farm, he is still an active member of the Pioneer Dairy Club. He serves as the club's vice president and is a leader in the club's activities, such as the Pioneer Dairy Sale, held every year in Lancaster, and the club's annual trip to the Midwest Regional American Dairy Science Association student affiliation division meetings. This year at ADSA/SAD, however, Sjoerdsma, who is majoring in animal science with a dairy emphasis, took an even more active role, running for ADSA/SAD office.

Sjoerdsma says, The American Dairy Science Association is a nationwide professional organization made up of people who work in the dairy industry. The UW-Platteville Dairy Club is a member of the Student Affiliate Division of this organization. Every February the schools in the midwest that are members of this organization come together for a three day convention. The fundamental idea behind this convention is for students to be able to network and become well connected with other members of the dairy industry.

As vice president, Sjoerdsma assists ADSA/SAD president Molly Florent of UW-Madison in taking care of any issues that may appear in the next year. The ADSA/SAD officers also are responsible for helping plan the next year's convention, a large undertaking, considering the midwest region is the largest, with 550 participants this year. This year's officer team, which includes: Brenda Cavanaugh, UW-River Falls; Ashley Vonk, South Dakota State University; and Erin Wacker, University of Minnesota; would also like to hold a reception for members of the organization at the World Dairy Expo, held every October in Madison.

Sjoerdsma is the son on Dave and Sharon Sjoerdsma of Randolph.