Jacob Harbaugh: Building a Future in Dairy Through Passion and Purpose

While most college students still sleep, Jacob Harbaugh is already working hard. His dedication has earned him the 2022 Champion Bred and Owned Heifer title, and he built a successful fitting business before age twenty. But what truly sets him apart is his humble approach and clear vision for dairy’s future.

<a href="https://rss.com/podcasts/the-bullvine/1879675">E 153 Jacob Harbaugh: Building a Future in Dairy Through Passion and Purpose</a>

Jacob Harbaugh doing what he loves…showing dairy cows.

While most college students are still sleeping in the predawn hours, Jacob Harbaugh is already hard at work. His weathered hands, which secured the 2022 Champion Bred and Owned Heifer title and established a successful fitting business before his twentieth birthday, move with practiced efficiency as he tends to show heifers at his family’s Wisconsin farmette. What sets Jacob apart isn’t just his impressive achievements – his humble approach to success and his crystal-clear vision for the future of dairy farming.

The Harbaugh family: Jacob (center) with his parents, Lynn and Sara, and his siblings

Early Foundations and Family Values

Jacob developed a deep connection to dairy farming while growing up on his family’s 20-acre farmette. His parents, Lynn and Sara Harbaugh, both successful dairy industry professionals – Lynn with Select Sires and Sara with Zoetis – provided the perfect environment for nurturing his passion. The family keeps 15-20 dairy heifers of different breeds, providing an excellent hands-on learning environment.

“Sara Harbaugh reflects on the desire for their children to have similar experiences while growing up. The Harbaughs took a measured approach to nurturing Jacob’s passion, starting with a few foundation animals and encouraging his participation in dairy judging and dairy quiz bowl. “We gave him the platform to start, but he has done the work and grown in his responsibilities along the way,” Sara notes.

The Harbaugh, Loehr and Ryan children, where Jacob’s passion for dairy farming began

Building Character Through Challenge

Jacob’s journey has been marked by defining moments. While working to break a Durham spring calf to lead in third grade, a frightening incident occurred when the Durham calf spooked. Instead of letting go, Jacob held on – a decision that ended with a hospital visit and stitches above his eye. “Sara recalls, “I thought that incident might hinder his progress, but he showed determination and successfully presented that calf at our district show a few weeks later.”

This early display of resilience became characteristic of his approach to challenges. When his family’s partnership’s milking cow facility suffered a fire in June 2023, Jacob faced the setback with remarkable composure. “Jacob reflects on how this situation has taught him patience and the value of appreciating things we might overlook.

Jacob Harbaugh embraces his mother, Sara, a key mentor in his dairy farming journey

The Power of Strong Mentorship

Four key mentors have shaped Jacob’s success: Lynn, Sara Harbaugh, Kurt, and Sarah Loehr. “Both couples have been great role models who have encouraged me to improve my skills and offered advice when asked,” Jacob reflects. Seeing them work as a team has been a great experience and something I strive for in the future.”

The Loehrs have been instrumental in Jacob’s development, housing the family’s milking cows in a partnership arrangement. This collaboration led to Jacob’s proudest achievements—the 2022 Champion Bred and Owned Heifer, co-bred and owned with the Loehr children.

Sara Harbaugh emphasizes the importance of such mentorship relationships: “Encourage your kids to seek out mentors and ask for help if needed. So many people are willing to help our industry’s youth, but they need to ask and show that they have the initiative and drive to learn.”

Through these mentoring relationships, Jacob has developed essential skills in work ethic, communication, and organization. These mentors have guided his show ring success and helped shape his character and vision for his future in the dairy industry.

Jacob Harbaugh receiving the Merle Howard Award at the 2024 World Dairy Expo

Recent Achievements

Named the 20th Merle Howard Award winner at the World Dairy Expo (October 2024)
Won the 2023 Wisconsin State Dairy Cattle Judging Contest with his county team
Named 2023 Star in Agribusiness by Wisconsin FFA
Earned Distinguished Junior Holstein member award from Holstein Association USA
Top recipient of the 2024 Judi Collinsworth Memorial Scholarship

Entrepreneurial Spirit

Jacob’s business acumen emerged during the pandemic when he started his own fitting business, specializing in grooming cattle for sales, fairs, shows, and barn clippings. “Throughout the year, I fit cattle for sales, fairs, shows, and barn clippings,” he explains. His ability to groom cattle’s top lines and belly hairs enables him to highlight each animal’s distinct breed characteristics. Through careful financial management and strategic decision-making,

Jacob Harbaugh demonstrating his expert cattle fitting skills, a cornerstone of his successful business

Academic Excellence and Future Vision

Jacob is pursuing an animal science degree in his second year at the University of Minnesota, focusing on industry and business. He particularly values the practical aspects of his coursework: “The knowledge gained from our advanced coursework can be directly applied on farms to achieve effective results.” Beyond academics, he’s active in the Gopher Dairy Club, Ag Business Club, and Alpha Gamma Rho fraternity.

Jacob Harbaugh with Team USA at the Young Breeders School in Battice, Belgium

Beyond excelling academically, Jacob has gained international exposure through his experiences outside the United States. Recently, he was selected for Team USA at the Young Breeders School in Battice, Belgium. Reflecting on this opportunity, Jacob shared, “It was a great opportunity for me to travel to Europe and learn more about the preparation of heifers. Learning from recognizable dairy enthusiasts worldwide and hearing different perspectives about preparing cattle for the showring.” This experience improved his technical skills, expanded his understanding, and deepened his appreciation of global dairy farming practices.

Jacob Harbaugh and his brother celebrating their victory at the 2021 World Dairy Expo

Words of Wisdom

Through his experiences, Jacob has cultivated valuable insights, such as the importance of seizing opportunities and understanding diverse farm management practices for newcomers in the industry. “Don’t be afraid to take a chance on every opportunity. You can learn something from every experience, which can lead to growth,” Jacob advises. His perspective on farm management reflects a mature understanding: “I’ve become more understanding of different management practices that farmers implement. What works on some operations might not work on others.”

Looking to the Future

Jacob envisions a future where he will excel as a herd manager or in a sales/consulting capacity, alongside owning a small herd of Holsteins and other diverse breeds, integrating technology for efficient and sustainable dairy farming. He sees technology as key to industry advancement: “My generation can utilize their knowledge of technology to implement it on dairy operations to minimize labor costs and make the average dairy farm more efficient at producing milk in a low-stress environment that cattle can thrive in.”

Jacob Harbaugh with his Junior Champion Bred and Owned Heifer at the 2022 World Dairy Expo Junior Show

The Bottom Line

Jacob Harbaugh represents the bright future of the dairy industry. His mother best describes him: “Jacob is very outgoing and upbeat. He has a great work ethic and is willing to learn and try new things. He is mature, responsible, and a good communicator.”

Looking five years beyond graduation, Jacob’s goals reflect his character: “I would like to be involved in the dairy industry and volunteer my time to mentor youth in the dairy project and make an impact on them.” His recognition as the top recipient of the prestigious 2024 Judi Collinsworth Memorial Scholarship, honoring excellence in dairy industry leadership, which he humbly describes as a culmination of hard work, determination, and diligence, further underscores why Jacob Harbaugh epitomizes the future of the dairy sector.

His journey from a 20-acre farmette to building a successful fitting business while pursuing his education demonstrates that success in dairy farming isn’t just about scale or resources – it’s about passion, dedication, and the willingness to learn from every experience.

Key Takeaways:

Jacob Harbaugh’s involvement in the dairy industry stems from a family tradition and personal dedication, supported by his parents, Lynn and Sarah Harbaugh.
His journey in showing Registered Holsteins® has equipped him with critical life skills such as goal setting, teamwork, and resilience.
Winning the Champion Bred and Owned Heifer in 2022 is a significant milestone in Jacob’s career, reflecting years of breeding efforts.
Jacob’s academic pursuits in animal science at the University of Minnesota offer practical applications to his aspirations in dairy farming.
The support and mentorship from key figures, including his parents and the Loehr family, have been instrumental in shaping Jacob’s success.
Sarah Harbaugh emphasizes balancing academic commitments and daily activities for her children.
Jacob’s vision for the future includes leveraging technology to address modern challenges in the dairy industry.
The Harbaugh family’s success underlines the value of dedication and strategic choices in building a career in agriculture.
Jacob’s experiences underscore the impact of personal qualities such as optimism, responsibility, and a strong work ethic.
He aspires to continue evolving within the dairy industry while also mentoring future generations.

Summary:

The article explores the journey of Jacob Harbaugh, a young and talented dairy enthusiast, and the influences that shaped his path in the dairy industry. It highlights his strong familial background in dairy farming, the pivotal role of mentorship, and his drive for academic and professional success. Jacob’s achievements in the show ring, adaptability in challenging situations, and educational pursuits underscore his commitment to advancing in the dairy sector. His reflection on the importance of technology and efficiency in modern dairying, along with his entrepreneurial spirit, paints a picture of a future leader eager to contribute to the industry’s evolution. The narrative weaves through personal anecdotes, insights from family and mentors, and Jacob’s forward-looking aspirations, offering a comprehensive glimpse into the makings of an upcoming expert in the field.

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