By Blake Jackson
Nominations are now open for the annual Pennsylvania Dairy Industry Awards, which celebrate dairy producers and industry professionals who demonstrate exceptional leadership, service, and innovation.
Sponsored by the Pennsylvania Dairymen’s Association, the Professional Dairy Managers of Pennsylvania, and the Center for Dairy Excellence, the awards recognize individuals who are making significant contributions to the state’s dairy industry.
“These annual Dairy Industry Awards continue to be a meaningful way we can shine a light on the people who are making a difference within the PA dairy industry,” said Emily Barge, Communications and Marketing Manager at the Center for Dairy Excellence.
“As we approach the last few months of 2025, we are encouraging individuals to help us recognize the dairy leaders you know who are providing outstanding leadership, service and innovation to our industry.”
The awards are open to Pennsylvania residents, and winners will be acknowledged during the Pennsylvania Dairy Summit in February 2026. Nominations are being accepted for three distinct categories:
- Pennsylvania Distinguished Dairy Producer Award: Honors individual producers or farm enterprises demonstrating superior management, leadership, and service within their dairy business and the broader industry.
- Pennsylvania Dairy Service Award: Recognizes individuals who have made remarkable contributions to the advancement and support of Pennsylvania’s dairy farms and industry.
- Pennsylvania Dairy Innovator Award: Celebrates individuals or businesses introducing innovative solutions that propel Pennsylvania’s dairy industry forward, whether through market advancements or on-farm innovation.
Nominations must be submitted by November 17, 2025, at www.centerfordairyexcellence.org/awards and include a completed application form along with one letter of support highlighting the nominee’s qualifications.
Nominees will be notified electronically in late November, with additional information requested in December 2025. Award recipients will be announced in January 2026.
Applicants remain eligible for consideration for three years, with nominators allowed to update their submission annually. Once a candidate wins an award, they are ineligible for any other category for the following two years.
For questions or assistance with nominations, contact Emily Barge at 717-788-0300 or via email at ebarge@centerfordairyexcellence.org.
Photo Credit: center-for-dairy-excellence
Categories: Pennsylvania, Business, Livestock, Dairy Cattle