John Hollay Arlington, Virginia Director of Government Relations National Milk Producers Federation

Libby Gaige Batavia, New York Bilingual Dairy Specialist The North West New York Dairy, Livestock and Field Crops Team (Cornell University Cooperative Extension)

Earlier this month, Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced the appointment of 12 dairy members to the National Dairy Promotion and Research Board. Appointees’ terms were to begin immediately and will end Oct. 31, 2014. "These appointees represent a cross section of the dairy industry and I am confident that the industry will be well served by them," said Vilsack.

Promised Land Dairy's digital marketing program recognized with interactive marketing awards The DFW Interactive Marketing Association presented Launch Agency with 2012 Excellence in Interactive Marketing Awards for the agency's digital marketing work on behalf of Promised Land Dairy. The work that Launch did for the Texas-based premium milk distributor won second place for two separate category submissions. Most Effective Online Brand Awareness was judged by the look and feel of website creative as a reflection of the Promised Land Dairy brand. In the Social Media category, Launch designed and utilized a Promised Land Dairy Facebook page to build awareness and track the specific site actions of Store Locator searches and Moo-mail email club signups. —From Launch Agency news release BouMatic receives Governor's Export Award Dairy equipment manufacturer BouMatic, headquartered in Madison, Wisconsin, received the 2012 Governor’s Export Award from Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker at the 48th Annual Wisconsin International Trade Conference.

Betty Thompson, Miss Oklahoma 2011, recently visited Liberty Elementary in Broken Arrow, Oklahoma, with Southwest Dairy Farmers. Thompson – who is an elementary education major at Oklahoma State University and a member of the Dairy Farmers Spokesperson Network – joined Mobile Dairy Classroom instructor Ralph Keel during a presentation to students in kindergarten through third grade.

Progressive Dairyman columnist and long-time dairy industry advocate Ben Yale passed away June 13, 2012, from complications following surgery. Funeral details are still forthcoming. More details will follow as they are available. Progressive Dairyman sends its regrets to Ben Yale's family and the many dairy interests he has represented over the years. "We are sorrowful for the loss of a great industry advocate," Progressive Dairyman Editor Walt Cooley said. "Ben was an artful communicator who was uniquely able to shine historical context on today's most important industry issues. He inspired many through his words, and he will be greatly missed." View statements below from dairy organizations expressing condolences:

Gerald E. Higginbotham, Ph.D., PAS, Dipl. ACAS Fresno, California Ruminants Technical Sales Manager Micronutrients

Robert H. Fourdraine, PhD Oregon, Wisconsin Vice President Products, Services & Development AgSource Cooperative Services

Residents of Carver County, Minnesota, earn awards at 60th Dairy Day Dinner The 60th annual Dairy Day Dinner drew 370 people to New Germany, Minnesota, as farmers, youth and others were recognized for their achievements. The new 2012 Carver County Dairy Princesses were crowned. The ceremony also featured the presentation of numerous awards from the American Dairy Association: