Cal Poly Dairy Products Judging Team Wins First Place

California is the No. 1 ice cream-producing state in the country. Cal Poly is also No. 1 in ice cream judging for three years in a row.

 The Cal Poly Dairy Products Judging Team, coached by Dairy Science Associate Professor Vincent Yeung, recently competed at the 100^th annual Collegiate Dairy Products Evaluation Contest (CDPEC) on April 17 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Cal Poly won first place in the ice cream team category, marking the third time the team has won the competition. They also placed second in the yogurt team category. In the individual categories, third-year business administration major Jacob Morgan finished second in the butter category, while first-year animal science major Isabella Yencho and second-year animal science major Victoria Chau second and third in the ice cream category. The 2024 Cal Poly Dairy Products Judging Team is comprised of: Chau, Morgan, Yencho, and firs-year animal science major Jacqueline Lee and fourth-year Amy Uthenpong. “It’s a tremendous privilege for me as the coach to work closely with the students to prepare for the contest,” said Yeung. “The team put in so much effort. No words can express how proud I am of this team.”

Below are the result highlights:

• 1^st in Ice Cream Team (Cal Poly)
• 2^nd in Yogurt Team (Cal Poly)
• 4^th in Milk Team (Cal Poly)
• 2nd in Butter Individual (Jacob Morgan)
• 2^nd in Ice Cream Individual (Isabella Yencho)
• 3^rd in Ice Cream Individual (Victoria Chau)

The contest was hosted by Wisconsin Cheese Makers Association and superintended by the USDA Standardization Branch. Team members judged six categories of dairy products including milk, butter, cottage cheese, cheddar cheese, yogurt, and ice-cream based on flavor, texture and appearance. 

“The competition was incredibly intense, and we were all nervous,” said Uthenpong. “But we had such a wonderful time. I very much appreciate the opportunities to network with industry professionals and other student contestants from colleges around the country.” Lee added, “It was truly a once in a lifetime experience. Joining this contest has also piqued my interest in the dairy industry as well.”

Issues in California Agriculture Course

Students in the AG 452: Issues in California Agriculture course recently traveled to Sacramento to present their policy analysis projects and meet with California agricultural leaders. The course was created in 2003 by alumnus George H. Soares, managing partner at Kahn, Soares & Conway LLP, with the goal of preparing the future leaders in California agriculture by providing them a true Learn by Doing experience in the capitol. Students presented on topics including GMO education, local food systems, agricultural mechanization and agricultural waste management. They met with secretary of the California Department of Food and Agriculture Karen Ross, senators, legislative advocates, program alumni and more.

Student Scholars

Professor Ike Kang and three students Emily Beckerman, Jasmin Moallem, and Shreyash Patel attended the Pacific Egg and Poultry Association Conference in Hawaii. During the conference, Beckerman was awarded the Western Poultry Scholarship and student merit award and Jasmine Moallem received the student poster presentation award. Following the conference, Beckerman and Patel received invitations to attend the Global Ingenuity Program in Denver, Colorado, fully sponsored by JBS Foods.

Logging Team Wins Third Place

The Cal Poly Logging Team recently won third place at the American Western Forestry Club Conclave, the largest event west of the Mississippi, held at Cal Poly Humboldt. Cal Poly’s “A” team won third place overall and was awarded a chainsaw. Kelly Schwenger, fourth-year forest and fires sciences major, was named Belle of the Woods for the second year in a row.

The group photo of students holding wooden trees is all students who placed first in individual events. The trees were carved with a chainsaw by Alumnus Ethan Fagan (Forestry and Natural Resources, ’19). 

Equestrian Team Advances to Semifinals

The Cal Poly Equestrian Team had four riders qualify to compete on the western team for the semifinals held in Murfreesboro, Tennessee, representing Zone 8 – Region 1 at the Intercollegiate Horse Show Association semifinals. Students Ellie Hilzer, ranch riding, Jaimieson Knode, level western horsemanship, Rose Wakefield, western horsemanship and Skye Blackwell, western horsemanship qualified to compete. The top four teams from each semi-finals competition move on to nationals.

First Generation Student Panel

The Fresh Tracks: First Generation Panel Discussion on Feb. 8, held for the first time in the Experience Innovation Lab, was a great success. Four first generation students: Liliana Luevano, Kenneth Blanco, Cassandra Monterrosa and Diego Ortega, had the opportunity to share their experiences at Cal Poly and opened the door to conversations about the challenges that come with. This event was organized by the CAFES Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee.