National Dairy Shrine is again seeking nominations for its most prestigious awards: Guest of Honor, Pioneer, Distinguished Dairy Cattle Breeder, Progressive Dairy Producer, and Graduate Production Award.

The Guest of Honor is given to a contemporary dairy leader for outstanding accomplishments and contributions to the dairy industry. It has been awarded every year since 1949 when Dean H. Kildee was named the first Guest of Honor. Each year, three to four living or deceased Pioneers of the dairy industry are honored by National Dairy Shrine for their service and leadership in the dairy industry. Meanwhile, the Distinguished Dairy Cattle Breeder is an award which recognizes active, progressive dairy producers who, through their expertise in managing a dairy breeding herd based upon sound genetics and business principles, serve as a model of success for fellow breeders throughout the country. All these award winners' accomplishments are on permanent display in the Dairy Hall of Fame at the National Dairy Shrine Museum in Fort Atkinson, Wis.

One of National Dairy Shrine's newer awards, the Progressive Dairy Producer Award, is given to producers ages 21 to 45 who have introduced and applied effective management and business practices that help achieve more profitable dairy businesses. Two $2,000 awards for education and travel are given annually, one for herd sizes with 300 milk cows or less and a second for herds with over 300 milk cows. The Graduate Dairy Production Award recognizes and assists qualified two-year and four-year agricultural college graduates efforts to pursue a career in commercial dairy farming and to gain ownership of dairy cattle with the intent of growing their dairy herd. The applicant must be employed in a herd management role on a commercial dairy when completing the award application. The winner will receive a $2,500 award from National Dairy Shrine.

Nominations or applications must be submitted on official forms by March 15, 2011. If you know someone who should be nominated for these awards, please visit the NDS website at www.dairyshrine.org and click on "Adult Awards" to view a complete listing of each award form. Then you can download the application for the respective award desired. You can also request an application for the respective award via e-mail at info@dairyshrine.org or by mail at PO Box 725, Denmark, WI. 54208.

The annual National Dairy Shrine awards banquet will be held on October 4 during World Dairy Expo in Madison, Wis. For more information about the banquet or about students, producers and industry representatives being recognized by National Dairy Shrine, please contact Dr. David Selner, Executive Director, at (920) 863-6333. National Dairy Shrine membership information is also available by phone or online at www.dairyshrine.org. Dairy enthusiasts are encouraged to become a part of this important organization to help honor our heritage, inspire future leaders and promote the dairy industry.

1.18.2012