Dairy industry celebration and recognition banquet

Lynn Olthof, Michigan State University animal science graduate student and banquet organizer. - August 05, 2025

The celebration is organized and coordinated by MSU dairy teaching faculty and students.

On April 24, 2025 the inaugural Michigan Dairy Industry Celebration and Recognition Banquet took place at Brookshire Inn and Golf Club. The event hosted over 175 attendees including MSU faculty and students, dairy producers, industry leaders and parents. Representatives from 18 dairy organizations also financially supported and attended the event. Those recognized included the 2025 Michigan Dairy Farm of the Year, Michigan Dairy Memorial Scholarship Foundation Award Recipients and Honorees, MSU Dairy Judging and Dairy Challenge Teams and MSU Dairy Club and MSU Dairy Education Program Awards. Attendees also enjoyed a keynote address from State Representative and Michigan Dairy Producer Jerry Neyer and heard an update on the new MSU Dairy Teaching and Research Farm by Barry Bradford.

The celebration was organized and coordinated by MSU dairy teaching faculty and students. The MSU Animal Science Department is looking forward to growing this event in 2026. More information on the upcoming event will be shared on the MSU Dairy Education and MSU Dairy Extension social media. If you or your organization are interested in sponsoring the upcoming spring 2026 celebration, please contact Joe Domecq (domecqjo@msu.edu).

Key award highlights

2025 Michigan Dairy Farmer of the Year: Tony Jandernoa, Dutch Meadows Dairy, Fowler, Mich.

MDMSF Honoree: Gerald Surbrook, Rives Junction, Mich.

MSU Dairy Education Awards: Elizabeth Hyman (Distinguished Leadership), Ava Mitchell (Academic Achievement), Bette Eggink (Outstanding Ag Tech Student), Chloe Steiner (Outstanding First Year Student)

MSU Dairy Club Awards: Kelley Chase (Outstanding 4 Year Member), Bette Eggink (Outstanding Ag Tech Member), Ava Mitchell (Outstanding First Year Member)

Dairy Judging Teams: 2024 Collegiate: Sadie Brearley, Rhianna Bruursema, Elizabeth Hyman, Clea Moore 2024 Ag-Tech: Lydia Deters, Bette Eggink, Lane McDonald 2024 4-H: Ross Kelsey, Ava Mitchell, Megan Wilson

MSU Dairy Challenge Teams: 2024 National: Brianna Hill, Irie Moussiaux, Danielle Rummel, Adalee Thelen 2025 National: Brianna Armbruster, Jaylin Dilsaver, Elizabeth Hyman, Clea Moore 2025 Aggregate: Riley Baker, Rhianna Bruursema, Lauren Ringewold

This article was published by Michigan State University Extension. For more information, visit https://extension.msu.edu. To have a digest of information delivered straight to your email inbox, visit https://extension.msu.edu/newsletters. To contact an expert in your area, visit https://extension.msu.edu/experts, or call 888-MSUE4MI (888-678-3464).