WASHINGTON, D.C. - Jer-Lindy Farms of Brooten has been selected as the 2017 Innovative Dairy Farmer of the Year by the International Dairy Foods Association and Dairy Herd Management magazine.
The award recognizes U.S. dairy producers that apply creativity, excellence and forward thinking to achieve greater on-farm productivity and improved milk marketing.
"The owners found innovative ways to expand and keep younger family members engaged in the operations," said veterinarian Michael Dykes, the association president and CEO, in a news release.
According to the release, Jer-Lindy Farms may be one of the smallest operations to receive the award.
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Owners Jerry and Linda Jennissen manage the farm with 200 cows and nine part-time employees, while their daughter Alise and son-in-law Lucas Sjostrom operate the Redhead Creamery in a building across the driveway.
Adding the creamery in 2013 gave the family the opportunity to expand and diversify without adding cows or acres.
The owners also have initiated sustainability efforts, including fertilizing with manure, to maximize efficiency and profits and be good stewards of the land and animals.
The farm reuses water and heat, and the whey byproduct from the creamery is fed to the cows, cutting down both feed costs and waste.
"The family's goal is to be innovative and sustainable while profitable, and they are setting an example of how small operations can achieve this goal," said Lucas Lentsch, CEO of Midwest Dairy Association, in the news release. He nominated the operation.
