2023 Vermont Dairy Industry Association Awardees Receive Financial Boost from A. Pizzagalli Family Farm Fund
February 21, 2024 | Montpelier, VT - The Vermont Dairy Industry Association (VDIA), in partnership with the A. Pizzagalli Family Farm Fund, is pleased to announce the 2023 Vermont Milk Quality Awards. The awards recognize the dairy farmers who produced Vermont's best quality milk in 2023. These farmers were recognized yesterday at the annual Vermont Dairy Producers Conference in Burlington. The conference, presented by the Vermont Dairy Producers Association, offers programming and activities for producers and dairy industry professionals across the Northeast. Informative presentations on a variety of topics were offered including animal care, technology and data, sustainability, human resources, and more.
The three award winners were part of 54 dairy farmers from across the state who achieved the standards necessary to be nominated for the awards. All worked hard to achieve a quality of milk that was considered for this recognition. The 2023 High Quality Milk Awards were presented to:
|
1st |
$2,500 |
Howmars Farm |
The Gates Family |
Franklin |
|
2nd |
$1,500 |
Essex Farm LLC |
The Essex Family |
Vergennes |
|
3rd |
$1,000 |
Mark & Susan Rushton |
The Rushton Family |
Grafton |
“The VDIA loves to promote the excellent work of our Vermont dairy farmers. The results of their hard work and dedication can be seen on the landscape throughout our state and in the wonderful dairy products produced with their milk in the state and the region,” said VDIA board president Stephanie Walsh. “It is our honor to be able to present this annual award to these hard-working dairy farmers. Each year, VDIA recognizes the top 3 Vermont farms for their exceptionally high quality. This level of quality is the result of year-round attention to detail, hard work, and persistence.”
This is the fourth year the A. Pizzagalli Family Farm Fund has provided a $5K grant to support the VDIA “Milk Quality Award” program. The grants are designed to encourage professionalism and quality in the industry and recognize dairy farmers for their daily hard work for Vermont. For many years, the Pizzagalli family have supported Vermont’s working landscape and its farmers, recognizing the importance of this segment of Vermont’s economy and shared heritage.
“We do not get great tasting dairy without a focus on quality. It all begins with the care of the cow and what happens in the barn,” said Anson Tebbetts, Vermont’s Secretary of Agriculture. “Thank you to Vermont farmers for focusing on producing high quality milk and dairy for us to enjoy. We are grateful to the Vermont Dairy Industry Association for their work and the on-going support of the A. Pizzagalli Family Farm Fund.”
The Vermont Dairy Industry Association works for the mutual benefit of its members, dairy farm families, and the dairy industry, while encouraging and promoting close cooperation with educational institutions and other agencies concerned with the dairy industry. It also provides educational opportunities, facilitates networking, supports youth activities in dairy and recognizes excellence in the dairy industry. The milk of all nominees has met strict quality criteria.
LINKS: VDIA – Milk Quality Award Criteria
CONTACTS: Stephanie Walsh | Vermont Dairy Industry Association | vermontdairyindustry@gmail.com
- Image Left: Essex Farm L to R: Tim and Kristen Essex and their daughter
- Image Right: Howmars Farm L to R: Stephanie Walsh, VDIA president, Amy Maxham, VDIA Vice President, Jon Gates from Howmars Farm
No image is available for the Rushton Family