The National Dairy Promotion and Research Board (NDB) honored Tom Dorsey as the 2018 recipient of the Richard E. Lyng Award for his contributions and distinguished service to dairy promotion.
Dorsey, a dairy farmer from Caldwell, Idaho, was recognized at the Joint NDB/National Milk Producers Federation/ United Dairy Industry Association (UDIA) Annual Meeting in Phoenix.
The award is named for former U.S. Department of Agriculture Secretary Richard E. Lyng, who played a critical role in implementing policies that led to the establishment of the NDB more than 30 years ago. The Lyng Award honors leaders who have made a significant contribution to dairy promotion that benefits the entire industry.
“Tom exemplifies the meaning of service with more than 10 years promoting Idaho’s dairy farmers and industry and 25-plus years serving his local community,” said Brad Scott, California dairy farmer and chair of the NDB. “He has had an important influence on our farmers and our dairy community and we are grateful for his many contributions.”
Dorsey served on the Idaho Dairy Products Commission board of directors since 2004. In 2011, he was elected chairman of the Commission, a position he held until he voluntarily stepped down earlier this year.
As chairman, Dorsey led efforts to unite Idaho and Utah dairy farmers to create a stronger, more cohesive dairy promotion group. This led to the formation of Dairy West in 2017 to allow greater flexibility, growth and the effective use of farmers’ checkoff investments. When formed, Dorsey was elected chairman.
Dorsey also served as a member of the United Dairy Industry Association board and served as UDIA’s First Vice Chair for many years.
“Tom represents the very best of farmer leadership. He demonstrates endless support for dairy promotion and continuously seeks to make the checkoff the best it can be locally and nationally,” Scott said.
As part of the Richard E. Lyng Award, the NDB will contribute $2,500 to the Utah State University Department of Animal, Dairy and Veterinary Sciences in Dorsey’s name.
For more information about the dairy checkoff, visit www.dairy.org.
The 38-member National Dairy Board, formed in May 1984 under the authority of the Dairy Production Stabilization Act of 1983, carries out coordinated promotion and research programs to help build demand and expand domestic and international markets for dairy products and ingredients. NDB funds, in part, Dairy Management Inc.™, which manages the national dairy checkoff program.
