Spartan Dairy Newsletter Michigan dairy recognition
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EmailThe Great Lakes Regional Dairy Conference executive committee members contribute to Michigan’s dairy industry.
In each issue of the Spartan Dairy Newsletter, we highlight three outstanding individuals who contribute to the strength of Michigan’s dairy industry. In the winter 2026 issue, we recognized three individuals who serve on the Great Lakes Regional Dairy Conference executive committee.
Ethan Haywood – Select Sires, Inc.
As a genetic specialist for Select Sires, Inc., Ethan Haywood works with breeders for Holstein sire development in Michigan, Ohio and Kentucky. He also administers the NxGEN program in North and Central America, with the goal of helping farmers to minimize generation interval and maximize genetic gain. A Michigan State University (MSU) alumnus with a degree in animal science, Haywood was a member of the 2017 MSU dairy cattle judging collegiate team and the 2018 MSU national dairy challenge team.
Beyond his work at Select Sires, Haywood is a partner at Sand Creek Dairy in Hastings, Michigan. Active in the broader dairy community, he serves on the American Jersey Cattle Association and the Michigan Holstein Association board of directors. Haywood and his wife Elena live in Hastings.
Jessica Jakubik – CentralStar Cooperative
Jessica Jakubik is the director of organizational development for CentralStar Cooperative, aiding the CentralStar team in their professional development and long-term organizational strategies. She has been with CentralStar for 17 years and has also served as a genetic consultant and team leader. Jakubik received the Outstanding Effort award from CentralStar in 2022.
Jakubik is the president of the Michigan Holstein Association and a former adviser to their Junior Association. She’s judged numerous county fair dairy shows as well as the MSU Dairy Days 4-H show in 2024. She has also officiated the Michigan 4-H contests and the Intercollegiate Dairy Judging Contest at the Fort Worth Stock Show and Rodeo. Jakubik and her husband Matt reside in Prescott, Michigan, with their two children, Jameson and Joslyn.
Megghan Honke Seidel – ANR Event Services
Megghan Honke Seidel has been an event and systems manager for the MSU College of Agriculture and Natural Resources Event Services for the past 20 years. In this role, she has coordinated numerous events on behalf of the Michigan dairy industry, including the Great Lakes Regional Dairy Conference. She has received both the CANR Staff Dean’s Award of Distinction and the Jack Breslin Distinguished Staff Award. These awards recognize her outstanding long-term service and exemplary performance.
When she is not at work, Seidel, her husband Bruce and brother-in-law Mike operate a 1,000 head beef feedlot, 1,500 acre cash crop operation and meat market in Ovid, Michigan.
