Staff Category: Environmental Stewardship Task Force
April VonRuden
April VonRuden is the FARM Program Director for Associated Milk Producers Inc. Her responsibilities include managing AMPI’s FARM program Animal Care Evaluator training process, completing FARM Environmental Stewardship evaluations, and developing member communication materials. She focuses on creating tools and resources to help dairy farms improve their animal care and environmental outcomes and provides important supply chain assurances.
April’s involvement in animal agriculture is life-long, growing up on a dairy farm in southern Minnesota. She understands the practical aspects of managing a dairy farm and is committed to sharing dairy’s good story to narrow the gap between food production and consumers.
She graduated from South Dakota State University with a Bachelor of Science degrees in Dairy Production and Agriculture Education. She is a member of the FARM Environmental Stewardship Task Force, the NMPF Animal Health and Wellbeing Committee and is involved with the Upper Midwest Dairy Industry Association.
Lindsay Reames
Lindsay is the Manager of Animal Care and Sustainability for Maryland & Virginia Milk Producers Cooperative. She is responsible for the development, coordination and execution of Maryland & Virginia’s Animal Care and Sustainability programs which foster continuous improvement throughout the supply chain, from the farm to the consumer.
In 2017, Lindsay was appointed by Governor McAuliffe to serve in his administration as the Assistant Secretary of Agriculture and Forestry for the Commonwealth of Virginia. In this role she led several significant, high-profile policy and programmatic initiatives within the Secretariat focusing on new crop development, environmental challenges and economic incentives. Prior to this position she served as the Assistant Director of Governmental Relations for the Virginia Farm Bureau Federation.
Lindsay holds a master’s degree in public administration and a bachelor’s degree in agriculture and applied economics from Virginia Tech. She is among the tenth generation to grow up on her family’s farm in Loudoun County.
Antone Mickelson
Antone is the director of farm practices for Northwest Dairy Assoc., directing second- and third-party animal care evaluations. In addition to his duties at Northwest, he serves on the National Conference on Interstate Milk Shippers’ Executive Board, Council III Committee, and the Liaison and Third Party Certification Committee. He is a member of the National Milk Producers Federation’s Animal Health and Well-Being Committee and chairs NMPF’s Regulatory Advisory Committee. He is also a member of U.S. Animal Health Association’s Animal Welfare Committee, the Washington State Dairy Industry Producer Advisory Committee and the Oregon Department of Agriculture Regulatory Advisory Committee.
Antone grew up on a dairy farm in Idaho. He holds two bachelors of science degrees in ag economics and animal science from Brigham Young University, as well as an MBA from the City University of Seattle. He is actively involved with his brothers on the home farm growing alfalfa, oats and barley, and running a small cow calf operation.
Hansel New
Hansel New is an experienced food industry professional who currently leads sustainability programs at Dairy Farmers of America, one the world’s leading dairy food companies. Previously, he cultivated sustainability initiatives at Danone North America, WhiteWave Foods, and So Delicious with a proven track record in responsible sourcing, sustainable packaging, and brand building. Hansel’s education includes a Bachelor of Science in Environmental Health and Safety and an MBA in Sustainability. Raised near the banks of the Snake River in Oregon’s fertile Treasure Valley, he grew up with a deep appreciation for the land and the farmers who steward it.