News Release
Friday, December 21, 2018
Friends of Expo Honored in Madison
MADISON, WIS. – World Dairy Expo’s annual Friends of Expo Party was held on Monday, December 10, recognizing the efforts and contributions of WDE’s nearly 500 volunteers. The evening was highlighted with the presentation of the 2018 Friend of Expo Awards to longtime Expo volunteers, Pat and Phyllis Agnew, Diane Amundson and David and Cindy Cooper, for their dedication to the continued success of World Dairy Expo.
Pat and Phyllis Agnew have played instrumental roles at World Dairy Expo for more than two decades. The Agnew family starts their Expo week by hosting youth dairy judging teams, providing Milking Shorthorn judging practice classes. The stop includes providing a hearty lunch for over 100 team members. Next, Pat and Phyllis, and their family, don their whites as they exhibit their Milking Shorthorns on the colored shavings. In the past, Phyllis has also sung the United States and Canadian National Anthems as well as emceed the Supreme Champion Ceremony. Pat, a former representative on the Dairy Cattle Exhibitor Committee, has dedicated valuable time to ensure all International Milking Shorthorn Show awards are sponsored each year.
From helping with her first Expo Showring build 25 years ago to annually assisting with WDE School Tours, Diane Amundson has volunteered in numerous roles throughout World Dairy Expo. Her primary focus today is to organize the interactive and informative feed display stop during Expo School Tours. Diane’s dedication to her role in this program can be seen in the 50-foot display she assembles for the fourth-grade students, helping the children make connections between a cow’s diet and their own.
Long-time volunteers, David and Cindy Cooper, are involved in many aspects of WDE, including serving as Expo School Tour guides, ensuring students and teachers learn about the dairy industry while visiting the grounds. Before World Dairy Expo begins, Cindy plays a key role in the practical portion of the International Post-Secondary Dairy Cattle Judging Contest aiding with results tabulation, preparing materials for teams and much more. A member of the WDE Board of Directors, David is also involved with the leadership of Expo and provides valuable insight to WDE staff as they prepare for Expo, along with serving as a volunteer in the Dairy Cattle Show.
Serving as the meeting place of the global dairy industry, World Dairy Expo brings together the latest in dairy innovation and the best cattle in North America. Crowds of more than 65,000 people, from nearly 100 countries, will return to Madison, Wis. for the 53rd annual event, October 1-5, 2019, when the world’s largest dairy-focused trade show, dairy and forage seminars, a world-class dairy cattle show and more will be on display. Visit worlddairyexpo.com or follow WDE on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Snapchat or YouTube for more information.
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Note to the Editors: A high-resolution photo is available upon request from kschmitt@wdexpo.com.
