Maria Woldt named director of Dairy Innovation Hub

On June 1, Maria Woldt will become the third director of the Dairy Innovation Hub, a state-funded initiative that brings together scientists, farmers, businesses, and educators to explore new ideas to ensure Wisconsin’s $52.8 billion dairy sector remains globally competitive while advancing economic, environmental, and social sustainability. The Hub leverages research and development across UW–Madison, UW–Platteville and UW–River Falls to support dairy businesses and train the future workforce.

In the director role, Woldt will guide the Hub’s vision and priorities in partnership with campus leaders, the Hub’s advisory council and industry stakeholders. The work involves strengthening connections across the three campuses with farmers, dairy processors, legislators, and other collaborators in Wisconsin’s dairy community. The director reports to the agriculture deans at the three UW campuses.

Woldt brings deep experience to the Hub, serving as program manager since 2020. In that role, she managed Hub programs and partnerships, led communications efforts, organized events, and coordinated activities across the three collaborating campuses.

“Maria has a passion for dairy, and she’s a natural fit for the Dairy Innovation Hub,” says Dave Daniels, chair of the Hub’s advisory council and owner of Mighty Grand Dairy in Union Grove, Wis. “She has done an excellent job coordinating Hub activities, and with Maria at the helm, I know we’ll keep delivering information about breakthroughs that will benefit the dairy community.”

Woldt holds a bachelor’s degree in marketing and communications from UW–River Falls and a master’s degree in life sciences communication from UW–Madison. Before joining the Hub, she worked in communications for the Dairy Business Association. Woldt and her husband operate a small dairy farm in Dane County, giving her a personal connection to the farmers and stakeholders the Hub serves.

“It’s an honor to serve Wisconsin’s dairy community and support the incredible work happening across our three agricultural campuses,” says Woldt. “I’m deeply committed to working alongside campus leaders, faculty, students, and stakeholders to ensure the Dairy Innovation Hub continues delivering meaningful, statewide impact.”

Matt Ruark, professor and extension specialist in the Department of Soil and Environmental Sciences, who assumed the directorship in 2024, is stepping down to focus on his research and extension responsibilities, including work supporting Wisconsin dairy.

Since it was established in 2019, the Hub has funded and coordinated 23 faculty hires and more than 260 research projects across UW’s Madison, Platteville, and River Falls campuses. In the most recent fiscal year, over 300 students and trainees were engaged in Hub research, and more than 200 public presentations were given. The Hub is supported by a $7.8M annual state investment.

The Hub holds two major events annually. Each spring, researchers gather for the Dairy Symposium on the UW–Madison campus to share Hub-funded research findings, develop new project ideas and explore possibilities for collaboration. This year’s Dairy Symposium is set for May 12. Registration for the Dairy Symposium is free and open to all. The Dairy Summit, held each fall, is formatted for a general audience and features the Hub’s newest projects.

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