AMPI YC events are for AMPI farmer-owners or those involved in AMPI member farms who are between the ages of 18-45 and their families.

AMPI covers the cost of Tuesday evening lodging (one room per family).

Interested in extending your stay? Reservations must be made through AMPI to receive the discounted rate.

Each family who registers BEFORE May 15 is guarantee to receive 2 free t-shirts. Additional shirts can be ordered for $8 each.

Available sizes: Adult XS-4XL, Youth XS-XL, Infant 6 mos.-24 mos.

T-shirt availability and sizes are not guaranteed for registrations after May 15.

AMPI will cover the cost of Tuesday evening lodging and meals listed in the program. No additional expenses will be reimbursed.

Attendees must drive personal vehicles to and from off-site events.

AMPI Portage Plant:

Located in Portage, Wis., AMPI’s Portage plant employs approximately 300 team members who produce processed American cheese slices and loaves, along with natural cheese shreds and blocks distributed throughout the U.S. and internationally. 

During the tour, guests ages 12 and older will get a first look at the newly rebuilt, state-of-the-art facility. This rebuild streamlines product flow and operational efficiency. The project also creates space for future growth and expanded automation for increased flexibility and long-term capability. 

Activities will be available for children who are not yet eligible to participate in the tour. 

Hoard’s Dairyman Magazine & Farm 

Hoard’s Dairyman has been a trusted voice in the dairy industry for more than a century, delivering practical, research-based information to producers. 

During our visit, we’ll tour both the publishing offices and the historic Hoard’s Dairyman Farm. The herd consists of approximately one-half Guernseys (some tracing back to the original herd purchased by W.D. Hoard in 1899) with Holsteins and Jerseys making up the other half, averaging more than 20,000 pounds of milk per lactation. The milking herd is housed in a free-flow automated milking system (AMS) facility built in 2019, and cows are milked with four Delaval V310 robots. 

The farm remains a vital part of the magazine today, helping editors stay closely connected to on-farm realities while serving as a hands-on learning center for new ideas and management practices.

National Dairy Shrine Museum 

The National Dairy Shrine Museum is dedicated to preserving and honoring the people, cattle, and history that have shaped the dairy industry.

Exhibits highlight influential leaders, innovators, and breeders, along with breed history, historic equipment, and stories that trace the progress of genetics, herd management, and dairy marketing. The museum is also home to the Dairy Hall of Fame, recognizing individuals who have made lasting contributions to the industry.

For producers, it’s more than a look back — it offers perspective on how strong leadership, sound management, and continuous improvement continue to shape the future of our farms and cooperative. 

Optional Post-Tour Events 
Optional activities will be offered Wednesday afternoon based on participant interest. 

Sassy Cow Creamery

Sassy Cow Creamery is a family-owned creamery that bottles milk and produces ice cream directly from their own herd, maintaining control from cow to carton.

Visitors can purchase products at the on-site retail store and experience the farm firsthand.

The farm also features a playground and petting zoo, making it a family-friendly stop to learn more about dairy farming. 

U.S. Dairy Forage Research Center

U.S. Dairy Forage Research Center is dedicated to improving forage production, feed efficiency, and whole-farm nutrient management for dairy producers. 

This is a working dairy farm — milking about 360 cows, raising replacements, and farming roughly 1,200 acres — where scientists study cows, crops, manure, and soil as one connected system under real-world conditions. 

Their work focuses on practical solutions to help farms improve efficiency and strengthen forage programs.