Kylie Konyn heads to grad school for dairy nutrition and management
Kylie Konyn, who grew up in San Diego, California, will be graduating this spring with a bachelor’s in dairy science and certificates in science communication and business management for agricultural and life sciences. In this Q&A, she talks about her passion for the dairy industry and her extensive involvement in dairy- and agriculture-focused student organizations and competitions on campus. She plans to attend graduate school at Cornell University in the fall.
What’s your hometown? / Where did you grow up?
San Diego, CA. I grew up on the last remaining dairy farm in San Diego County.
Why did you choose your major? What was the most interesting or coolest thing you learned?
Coming from the last remaining dairy farm in San Diego, I’ve always had a passion for the dairy industry. I chose my major to further explore opportunities in dairy and to experience a new part of the country. One of the coolest things I learned during my time at Madison was the holistic approach to auditing a dairy farm—looking at management, nutrition, finances, and records—through a competition called Dairy Challenge. It allowed me to apply skills I gained in class and internships in a real-world setting.
What student organizations, groups, and other activities were you involved in?
I studied abroad in the Netherlands this spring and I was involved in Badger Dairy Club, Collegiate Farm Bureau, Saddle & Sirloin, Dairy Judging, Dairy Challenge, Poultry Club, and Association of Women in Agriculture.
What are your future academic and/or career plans, short-term and long-term?
Short-term: Graduate school focusing on transition cow health, nutrition, and dairy management under Dr. Tom Overton at Cornell University.
Long-term: Return to the industry as a dairy nutrition and management consultant.
What were the most valuable and/or meaningful experiences you had in CALS?
Through my participation in Dairy Challenge, I had the opportunity to travel across the United States evaluating dairy farms. Learning alongside classmates and applying class knowledge in real-world settings was a meaningful culmination of my time at Madison.
When you think about your time here as a student, what are you proud of?
I’m especially proud to have received top honors in both the National Dairy Judging Competition and the National Dairy Challenge Contest.
Do you have any advice you’d like to share with CALS students?
My best advice to CALS students is to get involved. You never know who you’ll meet, where you’ll travel, or how the experience will shape your future career unless you take advantage of opportunities both inside and outside the classroom.
What do you like most about being a CALS student?
My favorite thing about being a CALS student is the wide range of clubs and opportunities available. From Dairy Judging and Dairy Challenge to Badger Dairy Club and the Association of Women in Agriculture, CALS offers countless ways to travel and network. These experiences have led to lifelong friendships and professional connections that I plan to carry forward.
What’s your favorite thing about the city of Madison?
The people and the proximity to all things dairy. Coming from a more isolated dairy region, I’ve felt welcomed and inspired by the opportunities Wisconsin offers. But above all, it’s the people who have made my Madison experience truly meaningful.