Michigan State Seeks 2020 Dairy Farmer of the Year Nominations

The 2020 award will be presented at the Michigan Dairy Industry Awards Banquet on February 7.

Nominations for the 2020 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 2020 award will be presented at the Michigan Dairy Industry Awards Banquet on Feb. 7 at the Great Lakes Regional Dairy Conference in Mount Pleasant. 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 Dairy Farmer of the Year page of the MSU Animal Science website. The deadline to submit nominations is November 1. 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:

2019  Blaine and Kim Baker

2018  SwissLane Farms- Fred, Tom, Jeff, Tom Jr., and Matt Oesch and Annie Oesch Link 

2017  Jim and Jack Winkel

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

Michigan is fortunate to have progressive dairy producers who have grown the industry by 40 percent over the past 16 years and increased total milk production by 91 percent making Michigan the 6th leading dairy state. At the same time, Michigan has become known 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 AgBioResearch and Extension work with dairy producers and professionals daily throughout the state.

For more information, contact Richard Pursley pursleyr@msu.edu or visit http://www.msue.msu.edu.

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