The International Dairy Foods Association (IDFA) is seeking nominations for the 2024 Innovative Dairy Farmer of the Year Award. The deadline to submit nominations is quickly approaching with the deadline of Oct. 27, 2023.
Past recipients of this award can be described as clever, creative, and leading edge. A past IDFA Innovative Dairy Farmer of the Year award recipient, Melissa Hildebrand-Reed, owner of Hildebrand Farms Dairy in Junction City, Kan., says they just try to dial in on efficiencies and be better every single day.
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.
Criteria:
Those nominating farms and/or operations must describe:
- Ways the operation is currently using technology or industry partnerships to improve efficiency, sustainability and growth opportunities for the farm;
- Ways the 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.
