The Dairy Business Association (DBA) has hired Maria Woldt, a communications consultant with deep roots in agriculture, for the organization’s new Director of Industry Relations.

Woldt will oversee initiatives that work to enhance DBA’s engagement with corporate partners, agriculture groups and community organizations.

“Collaboration is so important to what we do and what we will need to do going forward to make sure the dairy community continues to thrive,” said Tim Trotter, DBA’s executive director. “Maria understands the power of partnerships and brings a strong mix of skills and background along with terrific passion for the future of agriculture.”

Woldt boasts significant experience in non-profit management, agriculture and education, and served the past three years as a communications consultant specializing in non-profit organizations.

Woldt began her career with a position at World Dairy Expo Inc, and previously held a position at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, where worked College of Agricultural and Life Sciences directing employer outreach efforts for Career Services.

She is a native of Saint Paul, Minnesota, and earned her bachelor’s degree in agricultural marketing and communications from UW-River Falls. She also earned a master’s degree in agricultural journalism UW-Madison. She and her husband, Nick, reside in Sun Prairie, Wisconsin, where they have a small dairy farm and milk 55 registered Holstein cows. Woldt is also a member of the Badger chapter of the National Agri-Marketing Association (NAMA) and Dane County Farm Bureau.

“It’s a very important time for people engaged in dairy — farmers, businesses and fellow organizations. I’m looking forward to the opportunity to support DBA members as we enter the next chapter of the dairy journey in Wisconsin and beyond,” Woldt said.