The National Dairy Farmers Assuring Responsible Management (FARM) Program yesterday announced the winners of the FARM Excellence Awards. The Awards were established to recognize farms and evaluators demonstrating excellence in their engagement with the FARM Program.
“Thank you to all who nominated farms and evaluators for FARM’s inaugural awards,” said Emily Yeiser Stepp, Vice President of the FARM Program. “We are grateful for the quality of program participants and all those who go above and beyond with the FARM program.”
For more than 30 years, Tim Boeck has worked with the Land O’ Lakes Cooperative in several different roles. Currently as a FARM Evaluation Specialist, he conducts evaluations and works with farmers across the Midwest on operations of all sizes. His dedication and willingness to go the extra mile with farmers everyday earned him the award.
Borst Family Dairy LLC of Rochester, Minnesota, is owned by third and fourth generation dairy farmers – brothers Larry and Matt, and Matt’s sons Kevin and Kyle. They were nominated for their prioritization of disease prevention through clear protocols, practice mindful use of antibiotics, and work to improve cow comfort.
Canon Dairy is owned by Mark, Marie, Josie and Trent Canon in West Middlesex, Pennsylvania. The Canon’s have been in the dairy business since the early 1900s, making Mark, who took over in 1981, and his son, Trent, the fourth and fifth generations to farm there. Trent’s passion for conservation has been a major part of the Canon’s current environmental initiatives and the reason for this recognition.
Willow Behrer Farms LLC is owned and operated by Michael Behrer and his son Allen the fourth and fifth generation to farm the land in Central Pennsylvania that was originally settled in 1892. Their use of technology to elevate workforce training earned them the award.
Nominations were scored and winners were selected by a review committee comprised of Farmer Advisory Council members and other subject matter experts. The FARM Program thanks all who nominated and the nominees in each category for making the inaugural Excellence Awards a success. Visit the FARM Excellence Awards page for more details and full bios.