Chris Voell Frederick, Maryland Eastern Sales Manager BioCNG, LLC

Paula Meabon Wattsburg, Pennsylvania Board Member Center for Dairy Excellence (CDE) Foundation

Paul Sousa Turlock, California Director of Environmental Services Western United Dairymen

This spring, nine farmers graduated from the Dairy Herdsperson Apprenticeship Program at the University of Guelph, Kemptville campus.  The apprentices spent the past two years working on a farm while going to school for four full days each month during the fall and winter. 

66th North Dakota Dairy Princess crowned Marissa Leier of Hague was crowned North Dakota’s 66th State Dairy Princess. She and runner-up Amy Noel, 19, were crowned during a luncheon with Midwest Dairy Association North Dakota Division board members. Leier was a member of the state champion dairy judging team that competed at World Dairy Expo and the livestock judging team that competed at the National Western Stock Show in Denver. She attends North Dakota State University where she is majoring in biology. Both Leier and Noel received scholarships from the Friends of Dairymen and the North Dakota Milk Producers. Noel was also awarded the Midwest Dairy Association scholarship, chosen separately from among the candidates. —From Midwest Dairy Association news release Shamrock Farms celebrates 90 years in business Shamrock Foods Company – the parent company of Shamrock Farms – prides itself on its willingess to embrace new technology.

Dan Monson Gratiot, Wisconsin Director of Dairy Specialists Agri-King

Jill Hapner, Ph.D. West Bend, Wisconsin Executive Director GrassWorks, Inc.

Rod Heale Wyoming, New York Territory Development Specialist CRV

California dairy industry groups honor Tiemersma family After more than four and a half decades as a dairyman, Jelle Tiemersma – known as “Jim” to his friends – has built a lot of respect among his peers. But he didn’t realize quite how much until he and his family were named the 2012 Dairy Family of the Year by the Tulare County Dairy Women and the California Milk Advisory Board. “It was a big surprise,” said Tiemersma, who – along with his wife, Tracy – founded the Tiemersma Dairy in 1971. —From the Visalia Times-Delta Southwest Dairy Farmers recognized with Texas AgriLife Extension Service award The Texas AgriLife Extension Service announced a recent tribute to Southwest Dairy Farmers.