05/27/2026
Careers in Dairy
Article By: Olivia Lenssen, 2026-2027 Whatcom County Dairy Ambassador
At the end of April, my fellow Dairy Ambassadors, Mia Alderliesten and Kortnee Tolsma, and I had the pleasure of attending Nooksack Valley Middle School’s Career Fair. We shared a 25 minute presentation on 40 different careers relating to the dairy industry. It was so much fun getting to teach the middle schoolers about the importance of dairy and how wonderful it is to be involved in the dairy industry. I loved this opportunity and I look forward to more events like this!
Dairy farming is one of the most important industries in our community. However, without the support of other careers, there is no way that farmers would be able to own and operate their farms. The careers that support the dairy industry are what helps it thrive. There is so much variety in the careers that surround dairy farming. From taking care of the cows, to advocating for the importance of farming, there is something for everyone.
Dairy farming is a job that requires patience, hard work, and a passion for agriculture. Getting up early in the morning to take care of the herd and staying up late to harvest the crops takes a special kind of person.
Additionally, there are many jobs surrounding dairy farming that the farms depend on. We need milkers who work day and night to move cows in and out of the parlor and operate the milking machines. We need the milk truck drivers who transport the milk to the processing plant, where technicians work to pasteurize milk and make other dairy products. We need nutritionists and feeders who make dietary plans for our animals and then mix everything to feed them.
Jobs in food service, and store clerks are also incredibly important. Even if you are not directly working on a farm, you can still be working in a place that supports dairy. Places like Elenbaas and CHS sell necessary feed and tools to farmers.
I work at the Edaleen Dairy store in Sumas, and this is an incredible opportunity for me. I get to serve delicious ice cream to customers, supporting the dairy industry while spreading joy.
Additionally, the dairy industry heavily relies on people who work as equipment salesmen or mechanics. This is so that farmers can buy whatever equipment is needed and have people there to fix it if there is a serious issue. Lastly, we need people who advocate and teach consumers about the importance of agriculture, including dairy farming. We need our agriculture teachers and those involved with speaking out about farming. They help dairy farms thrive and help us become more knowledgeable about what farmers contribute to our community.
These examples represent just a few of the many careers related to the dairy industry. Each role provides important contributions to the dairy industry, both on and off the farm.
