In this episode of the Uplevel Dairy Podcast, Peggy Coffeen sits down with Bonnie Ayars, an energetic and deeply passionate cattle breeder, teacher, coach and advocate for agriculture. Bonnie shares her path from developing a Guernsey herd and teaching for over 50 years to her impactful role at Ohio State as a dairy program specialist. Bonnie also delves into her family's community outreach through their own ice cream and cheese business. She reflects on her career, the importance of seizing opportunities, and her deep passion for mentoring students. With anecdotes about hosting a Luke Bryan concert and winning national baking contests, Bonnie Ayars' story is a testament to dedication, resilience and the power of giving back.

This episode is brought to you in partnership with the National Dairy Shrine

• Award applications: ⁠https://dairyshrine.org/awards/⁠
• Scholarship applications: ⁠https://dairyshrine.org/youth/#scholar⁠
• Donate to Dairy Shrine: ⁠https://dairyshrine.org/donate/⁠
• YouTube channel: ⁠https://youtube.com/@dairyshrine⁠

Chapters

• 00:23 Bonnie Ayars' Background and Achievements
• 01:15 Community Engagement and Unique Experiences
• 03:15 Early Life and Career Beginnings
• 09:02 Transition to Teaching and Mentorship
• 11:48 Impact of Teaching and Personal Reflections
• 16:56 Guiding Students and Emphasizing Opportunities
• 19:50 Balancing Life and Personal Endeavors
• 21:43 Winning the Pie Contest
• 22:40 Competing at the Grand Bake Opry
• 25:02 From Pies to Ice Cream
• 26:33 Building a Family Business
• 30:03 Teaching and Mentoring Youth
• 33:54 Reflecting on Achievements
• 35:51 Future Aspirations
• 38:29 Honored with the Pioneer Award
• 41:20 Final Thoughts and Gratitude