WAUPUN, Wis., Jan. 20, 2026 – This summer, CentralStar Cooperative will welcome nine students to its 2026 internship program. These interns will gain hands-on experience by supporting day-to-day work and projects across the cooperative’s dairy and beef territory in the upper Midwest, learning alongside experienced CentralStar team members.
“Each of these interns was selected from a competitive pool of applicants because of their unique perspectives, strong skills, and genuine passion for agriculture,” said CentralStar Hiring and Training Manager Corinn Harmeyer. “During the summer, they’ll gain hands-on experience in animal-agriculture operations, contribute to meaningful projects, and collaborate closely with our seasoned team members — all while building skills that will support their growth long after the internship ends.”
The 2026 internship class spans multiple business units, with students contributing to genetics, artificial insemination (A.I.), laboratory services, and research and development. Six students will join the genetics team as A.I. specialist interns. Ethan Bode, Sycamore, Ill., is an animal-science student with a preveterinary emphasis at the University of Wisconsin Platteville in Platteville, Wis. Actively involved in the school of agriculture, he also plays on the college football team. Bode is passionate about animal health and plans to pursue a career in veterinary medicine. Lane McDonald, Ithaca, Mich., is majoring in animal science at Michigan State University, Lansing, Mich., focusing on dairy. McDonald owns and breeds
Guernsey and red and white Holsteins, combining his hands-on experience with a passion for the dairy industry.
Morgan Schoof, Big Bend, Wis., is a freshman at Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa, pursuing a double major in dairy science and agriculture business. She is active in the Dairy Science and Agriculture Business clubs and enjoys working with her dairy heifers and market lambs. Avery Panetti, Waupun, Wis., is a freshman at UW-Platteville, studying animal science with a pre-vet emphasis. An active sheep exhibitor, Panetti hopes to pursue a career as a large-animal veterinarian.
Landen Lindstrom, Durand, Wis., is pursuing a degree in animal science at Chippewa Valley Technical College, Eau Claire, Wis. Growing up on his family’s 1,500-cow dairy, he has extensive hands-on experience with cattle through the farm and also 4-H. Lindstrom looks forward to learning more about artificial insemination and genetics this summer with CentralStar. Emma Adleman, Kiel, Wis., is a junior at the University of Wisconsin-River Falls in River Falls, Wis., majoring in dairy science and agriculture business. With her time spent outdoors and dairy farming, she has a strong interest in dairy genetics and reproduction.
Beyond the genetics business unit, CentralStar’s laboratory and research operations will also benefit from student support this summer. The Kaukauna, Wis., laboratory will be welcoming Leah Wendricks, Casco, Wis., who is enrolled in the dairy-science-management program at Northeast Wisconsin Technical College, Green Bay, Wis., working toward her associate’s degree. Raised around animals, she has a particular passion for dairy cattle.
Interning with the CentralStar Grand Ledge, Mich., laboratory team is Kassey Labadie, Bark River, Mich. Labadie is a senior at Michigan State University, studying animal science with an industry concentration. Raised on a hobby farm and active in 4-H, she gained hands-on livestock experience showing hogs. Labadie looks forward to combining practical knowledge and scientific learning in a career in animal agriculture.
In addition, CentralStar’s research and development team focuses on identifying and advancing opportunities to improve dairy-cattle health and productivity. Georgia Sparks, Hesperia, Mich., is a sophomore at Brown University in Providence, Rhode Island, studying statistics and environmental science with an agriculture focus. Raised on a dairy farm, she also manages a small beef show-cattle herd with her brother. Georgia is excited to apply her experience and education to CentralStar’s bovine leukemia virus research this summer.
“We’re looking forward to welcoming this talented group of interns to CentralStar,” said Harmeyer. “Their energy, curiosity, and commitment will help drive meaningful work across our cooperative. We look forward to supporting their growth, celebrating their contributions, and seeing the impact they make.”
The CentralStar internship program provides participants with hands-on experience, mentorship, and opportunities to build professional networks. Interns will also take part in workshops and activities designed to deepen their understanding of the dairy and beef industries, while gaining skills that will serve them throughout their careers in animal agriculture.
CentralStar’s mission of enhancing producer profitability through integrated solutions for mutual success is fulfilled by incorporating an array of products and services critical to dairy-and-beef-farm prosperity. CentralStar’s product and service offerings include Accelerated Genetics, GenerVations, and Select Sires genetics; extensive artificial-insemination (A.I.) technician service; genetic, reproduction, and dairy-records consultation; DHI services; diagnostic testing; herd-management products; research and development; and more. CentralStar’s administration and warehouse facilities are located in Lansing, Mich., and Waupun, Wis., with laboratories in Grand Ledge, Mich., and Kaukauna, Wis. The cooperative serves dairy and beef producers throughout Wisconsin, Michigan, and Indiana, with additional DHI territory in various surrounding states. For more information, visit CentralStar Cooperative Inc. at www.mycentralstar.com.