Michigan State seeks 2017 Dairy Farmer of the Year nominations

The MSU Dairy Farmer of the Year Award is presented annually to a dairy farmer to recognize the recipient’s ongoing efforts at bettering the Michigan dairy industry and surrounding communities.

Nominations for the 2017 Michigan State University (MSU) Dairy Farmer of the Year Award are currently being accepted by the MSU Department of Animal Science.  The MSU Dairy Farmer of the Year Award is the highest honor bestowed by the Animal Science Department to individuals in the dairy industry.  It is presented annually to a dairy farmer to recognize the recipient(s) ongoing efforts at managing an outstanding dairy operation and strengthening the Michigan dairy industry and their surrounding communities. Recipients are respected by their peers, neighbors and industry as outstanding herd managers and dairy leaders at the local, state and/or national levels.

Award nominees may be individuals, partnerships, or multi-generation family partnerships. A team made up of faculty members and Extension educators select the honoree on the basis of commitment to their operation and contributions to the dairy industry. The 2017 award will be presented at the Michigan Dairy Industry Awards Banquet on Feb. 3 at the Great Lakes Regional Dairy Conference in Frankenmuth. The winner’s portrait will be added to the display featuring previous winners at the MSU Pavilion for Agriculture and Livestock Education.

Nomination forms for the MSU Dairy Farmer of the Year Award are available at the MSU Animal Science website awards section. The deadline to submit nominations is Nov 1, 2016.  Nominations can be submitted by producers, family members, professionals, agri-business firms or other individuals.

The MSU Department of Animal Science has been recognizing outstanding Michigan dairy farmers since 1958.

Recent honorees are listed below:

2016 - Hank Choate

2015 - Mike Rasmussen

2014 - Geert and Gertie van den Goor

2013 - Bruce and Jennifer Lewis

2012 - James Reid

2011-The Crandalls- Larry, Gloria, Brad, Monica, Mark and Sara

2010 - Earl and Diane Horning

Michigan is fortunate to have progressive dairy producers who have grown the industry by 40 percent over the past 20 years making Michigan the seventh leading dairy state, as well as having a reputation for producing high-quality milk. Michigan State University is pleased to work with Michigan dairy producers and professionals to solve problems and improve economic performance in sustainable ways. MSU AgBio Research and Extension work with dairy producers and professionals daily throughout the state.

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