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Farmer leaders in stewardship, sustainability and workforce best practices, along with a top FARM Program evaluator, were recognized at the fourth annual FARM Excellence Awards presentation held at National Milk Producers Federation’s annual meeting.
The awards, given by the National Dairy Farmers Assuring Responsible Management (FARM) Program, recognized three farms and one evaluator who go above and beyond industry standards through their commitment to innovation and continuous improvement.
The 2024 FARM Excellence Award recipients are:
Animal Care & Antibiotic Stewardship — Carlson Dairy LLP (First District Association)
Environmental Stewardship – Double S Dairy (Saputo Cheese USA, Inc.)
Workforce Development — Oakridge Dairy (Dairy Farmers of America)
Evaluator of the Year — Nicole Frank (First District Association)
“The FARM Excellence Awards celebrate the dedication, innovation and hard work that our program participants do to drive our dairy community forward,” said Emily Yeiser Stepp, FARM’s executive director. “Each recipient exemplifies the spirit of excellence and commitment to continuous improvement that is vital for our future. Congratulations to all the winners for their contributions to the industry.”
Winners were announced at the 2024 Joint Annual Meeting of the National Dairy Promotion and Research Board (NDB), National Milk Producers Federation (NMPF) and United Dairy Industry Association (UDIA) in Phoenix, Arizona.
The FARM Excellence Awards were created in 2021 to celebrate farms dedicated to continuous improvement in each of the FARM Program pillars, and to recognize a FARM Program evaluator for their exceptional care and attention to the farms they evaluate. The awards are judged by FARM Farmer Advisory Council members and other subject matter experts. Farms and evaluators may be nominated by fellow dairy farmers and evaluators, members of their communities, extension, cooperative or processor staff, veterinarians or other industry professionals.
Visit the FARM website for more information about the FARM Excellence Awards.
About the Winners:
Carlson Dairy LLP is in Pennock, MN and is a member of First District Association. Carlson Dairy LLP was awarded the 2024 FARM Excellence Award in Animal Care & Antibiotic Stewardship for its commitment to animal welfare and judicious use of antibiotics.
Double S Dairy is in Markesan, WI and is a patron of Saputo Cheese USA, Inc. Double S Dairy was awarded the 2024 FARM Excellence Award in Environmental Stewardship for its focus on innovation to enhance sustainable, environmentally responsible practices at the farm level.
Oakridge Dairy is in Ellington, CT and is a member of Dairy Farmers of America. Oakridge Dairy was awarded the 2024 FARM Excellence Award in Workforce Development for its dedication to delivering value to employees, owners and their community.
Nicole Frank is based in Litchfield, MN and is a FARM Program evaluator for First District Association. Nicole was awarded the 2024 FARM Evaluator Excellence Award for her commitment to her farmers and the industry at large, championing the efforts of the FARM Program every step of the way.
The National Dairy Farmers Assuring Responsible Management (FARM) Program was created by NMPF with support from Dairy Management Inc. in 2009. Program participation is open to all U.S. dairy farmers, cooperatives, and processors. Participants follow rigorous guidelines to ensure the utmost social responsibility on our nation’s dairy farms, while committing to continuous improvement. For more, visit nationaldairyfarm.com.
The National Milk Producers Federation, based in Arlington, VA, develops and carries out policies that advance dairy producers and the cooperatives they own. NMPF’s member cooperatives produce more than two-thirds of U.S. milk, making NMPF dairy’s voice on Capitol Hill and with government agencies. For more, visit www.nmpf.org.
