Growing Together: Conversation with Krysta Harden, President and CEO, U.S. Dairy Export Council

As president and CEO of the U.S. Dairy Export Council (USDEC), Krysta Harden leverages experience with agriculture, sustainability, food policy and the federal government to help fulfill USDEC’s mission to promote dairy exports and enrich the well-being of people, communities, and the planet.

Harden took the helm at the USDEC in February 2021, becoming the organization’s first female chief executive. Her earlier career includes positions such as chief sustainability officer at Corteva and DuPont, deputy secretary at the U.S. Department of Agriculture, and CEO of the National Association of Conservation Districts.

In each of these positions, Harden has focused on expanding opportunities for women, young people, immigrants, socially disadvantaged producers, returning veterans and retirees, among others. She is a past Chair of the National 4-H Council Board of Trustees and was inducted into the National 4-H Hall of Fame in 2024.

How did your educational experiences at University of Georgia impact your path to leadership?

I loved every minute at UGA. My time there was such a great example of the diverse, practical education that land-grants offer. I grew up in a farm family but I actually didn’t attend the agriculture school. I studied journalism, where I received training in communications skills, both writing and speaking, that I still use to this day.

My overall college experience was very complete, from participating in a sorority to writing for the school newspaper, volunteering at church, and traveling to D.C. for internships. It was a springboard to everything that came next for me. The lasting network that the land-grant universities create has opened doors my entire career.

From your perspective as a former Mitchell County, Georgia 4-Her and past Chair of the National 4-H Council Board of Trustees, what are your reflections on the opportunities 4-H has provided throughout your life?

There is no other single influence outside of family and faith that has provided more direction in my life than 4-H. It shaped who I am. It showed me how to give back, both in my local community and at a national level. 4-H members learn the skills they need to be engaged, healthy, and productive – they are Beyond Ready for navigating life. I am always recommending 4-H to parents and young people. Once a 4-Her, always a 4-Her.

How do U.S. Dairy Export Council’s key priorities align with or benefit from land-grant universities’ research, education, and/or Cooperative Extension programs?

At the heart of USDEC is the dairy farmer. Everything we export starts with a drop of milk from a cow. That is why land-grant research on topics like genetics, animal care, and food safety is vital.

Partnerships across the land-grant system at places like Cornell University, UW-Madison, Penn State, and UC Davis (to name just a few) are absolutely critical to the success of the U.S. dairy industry. They are a one-stop-shop. Additionally, most every campus has a creamery where they make ice cream or cheese: a fun, visible way of showing what land-grants do to the public.

Taking it a step further from the cow to product development, USDEC works closely with universities at home and abroad so people around the world can benefit from the nourishment that dairy provides. We have found that there is nothing quite like the land-grant model internationally. Overseas, we work with individual universities with a specialty like food science or agronomics. There is nothing as complete, thorough, and collaborative as the U.S. land-grant system.

How have colleges of agriculture and natural resources at land-grant universities helped U.S. Dairy Export Council strengthen its impact and serve your stakeholders?

The American dairy sector has evolved over the past 30 years. The U.S. now exports around 18% of our total milk production. U.S. dairy exports have grown more than tenfold since USDEC was formed in 1995. But our work is far from over. We have to be ready for what is coming next.

Between industry and the land-grants, it is a fine line between who leads and who follows. Land-grants see the value of looking at agriculture as a business and helping men and women become business people. It’s that holistic approach to agriculture that land-grants do better than anybody.

Dairy is a complex business, and to succeed, farmers need a lot of skill and expertise. The land-grants often have the best viewpoints into the specific challenges facing the dairy sector by region and state. They offer solutions that are tailored locally. UGA’s College of Agricultural & Environmental Sciences is a great example of this, working to improve dairy production and prosperity across the Southeast. I have been honored to serve on the Dean of CASE’s Advisory Council for several years as a way to provide input and insights to what is going on in the agricultural industry today.

As U.S. Dairy Export Council works to expand global demand for U.S. dairy and support a thriving U.S. dairy sector, what is a critical issue that land-grant university researchers and Cooperative Extension professionals can help with?

We are working to position the U.S. as one of the most competitive dairy suppliers in the world. So many factors impact our success, from consumer trends to geopolitical issues.

Research from land-grant researchers helps USDEC’s team tell U.S. dairy’s story to potential new customers around the world. We rely on updated data to better understand market trends and what is driving purchasing decisions. I would also encourage continued collaboration across both agriculture and business schools on work analyzing market access challenges and opportunities for dairy.

Additionally, there are so many careers available today in the dairy sector: from economists to food scientists to large animal veterinarians. However, there is currently a dearth of people to fill these important roles. Looking ahead, we need to work closely with the land-grants to recruit the next generation of dairy’s workforce and help connect students with positions after they graduate.

What advice would you give to today’s college students?

First of all, I often go to students for advice when I speak to them! They are at the forefront of what is happening in the world and are the leaders of tomorrow, and quite frankly, today.

Here are three pieces of advice I like to share with students:

• Love what you do and do what you love. Find what gives you joy. That isn’t measured with a 401k or a paycheck – it is measured by how much you enjoy what you do.

• Trust your own instincts and gut. Listen to your family, friends, and professors but remember that you know yourself better than anybody else does. Listen to yourself first and last before making major decisions.

• The decisions you make now will set the course for the next few years but they won’t be the last decisions you make. Don’t be scared of the challenges ahead.

What are strong opportunities for increased collaboration and partnerships between U.S. Dairy Export Council and land-grant universities?

We can – and do – work together in so many ways. We need the information that land-grants provide to support trade and market development. Prioritizing research will continue to help the industry grow and thrive.

Another important example is continued collaboration with USDEC’s 134 member companies to provide internship opportunities for students who are exploring careers in dairy. We want to be part of your alumni networks to provide mentorship and career advice.

Internships are a catalyst for careers. Here at USDEC, we love having students from land-grants as interns because they bring such a practical approach to their work and life.