IDFA Opens Nominations for Annual Industry Awards

The International Dairy Foods Association (IDFA) is seeking nominations for four top awards presented annually to leaders in the dairy industry. Nominations open today and will close on Friday, Oct. 27. Winners will be announced and recognized at Dairy Forum 2024 in Phoenix, Ariz. Nominations are now open for the following awards: The IDFA Laureate Award, the 2024 Innovative Dairy Farmer of the Year Award, the IDFA Food Safety Leadership Award, and the IDFA Workplace of the Year Award.

The IDFA Laureate Award

The fifth annual IDFA Laureate Award will be given to an outstanding leader in the dairy industry who has made significant, prolonged contributions to the development and growth of the dairy industry. Candidates from all segments of the dairy industry – milk, cheese, ice cream, yogurt and cultured products, ingredients – as well as suppliers and academia are eligible for the award. The awardee will be chosen by a panel of industry professionals based on the nominee’s overall career achievements. The awardee will be recognized during Dairy Forum 2024. The deadline for submitting nominations is Oct. 27, 2023. Additional details are here:

Criteria

• Candidate should have exceptional achievements and contributions to the dairy industry.
• Candidate should show demonstrated leadership.
• Candidate’s achievements should embody the spirit, innovation and vision that inspire others to strive for progress, change and leadership in the dairy industry.

Submissions

• A completed IDFA Laureate form is required for each nomination. Please find the form here.
• Additional information and letters of recommendation may be included as attachments to the Laureate nomination form.
• There is no fee to enter.
• Nominations should be submitted to Matt Herrick at mherrick@idfa.org.

2024 Innovative Dairy Farmer of the Year Award

The twenty-sixth annual Innovative Dairy Farmer of the Year award is co-sponsored by IDFA and Dairy Herd Management magazine. IDFA and Dairy Herd Management seek nominations of active U.S. dairy farms that have embraced innovation and technology, as well as industry collaboration and partnerships, to achieve greater productivity and growth. Nominees will be judged on current methods as well as their positioning to meet future economic and business challenges. The winning operation will be highlighted in the January 2024 issue of Dairy Herd Management magazine and recognized during Dairy Forum 2024. The deadline for submitting nominations is Oct. 27, 2023. Additional details are here:

Criteria

Those nominating farms and/or operations must describe:

• Ways the producer operation is currently using technology or industry partnerships to improve efficiency, sustainability and growth opportunities for the farm;
• Ways the producer operation is meeting future economic and business challenges;
• How this operation sets itself apart from peers;
• The farm’s role within its community; and
• Any other criteria you’d like the judges to consider.

Submissions

• A completed 2024 Innovative Dairy Farmer of the Year form is required for each nomination. Please find the form here.
• Additional information and letters of recommendation may be included as attachments to the nomination form.
• There is no fee to enter.
• Nominations should be submitted to Jessica Matsko at jmatsko@idfa.org.

IDFA Food Safety Leadership Award – An Individual

IDFA is seeking nominations of individuals for its 2024 Food Safety Leadership Award to be presented during Dairy Forum 2024. The award, now in its eighth year, will honor an individual from our membership who has demonstrated outstanding leadership toward enhancing food safety within the dairy products industry. The award alternates between honoring companies or groups in odd years and individuals in even years. The deadline for submitting nominations is Oct. 27, 2023. Additional details are here:

General Qualifications for Nominees

• The winner will be an employee of an IDFA member company that processes, manufactures, markets or distributes dairy products in North America.
• The winning individual must demonstrate outstanding leadership and contributions to the field of food safety for the dairy foods industry.
• Previous recipients are not eligible to be nominated.

Criteria

Those nominating are expected to provide the following package of materials for consideration:

• Nomination cover letter: Submit a cover letter that includes the name, position, and company of the nominee, as well as a summary of the individual’s achievements.
• Food safety leadership achievements: List specific activities and outcomes achieved during the past two years that would be considered significant food safety leadership achievements or accomplishments, such as developing a process or procedure that increased food safety; initiating and/or participating in the development and/or implementation of new food safety guidance and/or training for the industry; conducting research that made a specific contribution to food safety; and writing or co-authoring papers that were published in recognized peer-reviewed journals or magazines.
• Originality of work: Describe the originality, creativity and quality of the contribution and note the significance and importance of the contribution to the industry. Provide documentation that supports the effectiveness of the effort.
• Peer assessment of nominee: Provide at least two and no more than three letters of support from professional peers.
• Nominations should be sent to John Allan at jallan@idfa.org.
• There is no fee to enter.

2024 IDFA Workplace of the Year

The first annual Workplace of the Year award is co-sponsored by IDFA and Dairy Processing magazine. The Award will be given to an outstanding IDFA member company that has created policies to promote a positive workplace experience for employees. Award recipients will demonstrate efforts to support women and minorities, create cultures of inclusiveness and respect, support professional development, established paid parental leave and flexible work hours, and gender pay equality, among other criteria. The awardee will be chosen by a panel of industry professionals. A representative of the awardee company will be recognized during Dairy Forum 2024. The deadline for submitting nominations is Oct. 27, 2023. Additional details are here:

Criteria

• Candidate must be an IDFA member company, including dairy processor, gold business partner, or business partner.
• Company must have initiatives in place to support women and minorities in their workplace.
• Company demonstrates policies or recognition for fostering a culture of respect and empowerment.
• Company has established policies to help employees get the most out of their work experience, including flexible hybrid policies, regular team meetings, parental paid leave, etc.
• Company has established ERGs or other structures that support employees accessing professional development programs offered by IDFA and other organizations.
• Company has a documented ESG policy in place to support social criteria like gender pay equity, etc.

Submissions

• A completed IDFA Workplace of the Year form is required for each nomination. Please find the form here.
• Additional information, external recognition, and letters of recommendation may be included as attachments to the nomination form.
• There is no fee to enter.
• Nominations should be submitted to Becky Rasdall at brasdall@idfa.org.