IDFA and Dairy Herd Management continue to recognize progressive dairy producers by co-sponsoring the annual Innovative Dairy Farmer of the Year Award. The award celebrates U.S. producers that embrace innovation, technology, collaboration and partnerships to gain greater on-farm productivity and improved milk marketing.
Read about Apple Shamrock Dairy Farms LLC, the 2026 Innovative Dairy Farmer of the Year.
Nominations for the 29th annual Innovative Dairy Farmer of the Year Award will open later in 2026. Please check back for more information.
For more information, contact Jessica Matsko at [email protected].
“There is a story of innovation, sustainability and smart growth happening in the dairy industry, and much of that story begins with dairy farmers. We are excited to highlight and honor those farmers who, through the use of new technologies, partnerships and sustainable practices, are making important contributions to the future of the dairy industry.”
Michael Dykes, D.V.M., IDFA President and CEO
Previous Award Winners
2026 Innovative Dairy Farmer of the Year: Apple Shamrock Dairy Farms, LLC of Townville, Pa. was recognized as the 2026 Innovative Dairy Farmer of the Year at Dairy Forum 2026.
Read more in Dairy Herd Management.
List of Winners
- Apple Shamrock Dairy Farms, LLC of Townville, Pa.
- Grotegut Dairy Farm of Newton, Wisc.
- Bateman’s Mosida Farms of Mosida, Utah
- Bar 20 Dairy of Kerman, Calif.
- Hildebrand Farms Dairy of Junction City, Kan.
- Homestead Dairy of Plymouth, Ind.
- MVP Dairy of Kansas and Ohio
- Foster Brothers Farms, Middlebury, Vt.
- Schrack Farm Resources, Loganton, Pa.
- Jer-Lindy Farms LLC, Brooten, Minn.
- Holsum Dairies, Hilbert, Wis.
- Hilmar Jerseys, Hilmar, Calif.
- Milk Source, LLC, Kaukauna, Wis.
- McCarty Family Farms, Rexford, Kan.
- Sweetwater Valley Farm, Philadelphia, Tenn.
- Brubaker Farms, Mount Joy, Pa.
- Haubenschild Dairy Farm, Princeton, Minn.
- High Plains Dairy of Friona, Texas
- KBC Farms, Purdy, Mo.
- Joseph Gallo Farms, Atwater, Calif.
- KF Dairy, El Centro, Calif.
- North Florida Holsteins, Bell, Fla.
- C Bar M Dairy, Jerome, Idaho
- Pagel’s Ponderosa Dairy, Kewaunee, Wis.
- Si-Ellen Farms, Jerome, Idaho
- Baldwin Dairy/Emerald Dairy, Emerald, Wis.
- Clauss Dairy Farms, Hilmar, Calif.
- Mason Dixon Farms, Gettysburg, Pa.