Horizon announced it now works with nearly 600 certified organic family farmers nationwide to supply organic milk to consumers. In addition to the 531 certified organic family farmers currently providing organic milk to Horizon, there are 61 additional farms under contract with the company that will begin supplying milk during the next several months after all transition steps have been met.

The Southwestern Wisconsin Cheese Makers Association (SWCMA) is announcing their ninth annual Young Dairy Producer Educational Scholarship, an individual scholarship to allow a young dairy producer to pursue dairy (milk) production educational opportunities. This year's scholarship amount will be in the amount of $2,000 to further encourage young dairy producers to continue in the dairy industry and help maintain the supply of milk to area cheese plants. All students whose Wisconsin-based dairy farm markets their milk to any SWCMA member plant is eligible to apply. Family members or farm employee family members are both eligible to apply for this scholarship.

Brubaker Farms of Mount Joy, Pennsylvania, was named the 2011 Innovative Dairy Farmer of the Year during a ceremony at the International Dairy Foods Association's Dairy Forum in Miami, Florida. Owners Luke, Mike and Tony Brubaker received the award from IDFA Vice Chairman Dave Fuhrmann, who is president and CEO of Foremost Farms USA Cooperative.

Intervet/Schering-Plough Animal Health is reintroducing to the U.S. market the Vista vaccine line, which provides dairy veterinarians and producers with the most complete protection available against the most common and costly bovine respiratory and reproductive diseases.

Dairy producers from around Wisconsin took part in a special project to support superior environmental performance through the development and implementation of an Environmental Management System for their farm. The Dairy Business Association - Green Tier Advancement Project (DBA-GTAP) was a joint venture between DBA and the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS). The purpose was to change attitudes and behavior in the Wisconsin dairy sector by exploring the use of Environmental Management Systems (EMS) as a tool to establish voluntary environmental improvement goals, measure progress and ultimately protect the natural resources within the state of Wisconsin.

The National FFA Organization and National FFA Foundation have entered into a new, strategic alliance with the U.S. Department of Agriculture and National Council for Agricultural Education designed to develop agriculture students’ skills, leadership qualities, personal growth and career success.

National Dairy Shrine is again seeking nominations for its most prestigious awards: Guest of Honor, Pioneer, Distinguished Dairy Cattle Breeder, Progressive Dairy Producer and Graduate Production Award.

Western States and Albertsons are teaming up to raise both food and awareness during the most challenging time of year for local food banks. The “Dump Hunger” campaign hopes to generate 225,000 pounds of food to support communities across the Intermountain West following the holiday season. Donations to the campaign can be brought to any of the Western States branch locations or participating ALBERTSONS stores.

J.D. Heiskell Holdings, LLC doing business as J.D. Heiskell & Co. announced that on Friday, January 14, 2011 it acquired Hawkeye Gold LLC, an ethanol and ethanol co-products marketing business with offices in Ames, Iowa. Heiskell will acquire all employees and assets of Hawkeye Gold LLC and will continue to operate the business under its current name in Ames, Iowa.

The agriculture industry is one of great importance. Today’s agriculture professionals are part of a vital group of unsung heroes that contribute to feeding and clothing the world as they make a positive impact on the American economy. Monsanto Company recognizes the importance of investing in the next generation of hard-working agricultural professionals, which is why Monsanto and the National Association of Farm Broadcasters (NAFB) are proud to announce an open call for applications for the 2011 Commitment to Agriculture Scholarship Program.