Adams Win Top IDP Award
Published: Friday, February 15, 2019
The Indiana Dairy Producers organization last Thursday recognized an Elkhart County farm family for their dedication, professionalism and leadership in the Indiana dairy industry.
This year's recipients of IDP's "Dairy Producer of the Year" award are John and Cynthia Adam of Goshen. The Adams began dairy farming in 1998 with 30 registered Holstein heifers. Working out of a rented turn-of-the-century farm, they modernized the facility and created a functioning parlor. In 2013, they built a new barn and added two robotic milking systems. They currently milk 130 head, with the herd being 65 percent registered Jerseys, 35 percent registered Holsteins and a few crosses mixed in.
The Adams farm approximately 400 acres, raising corn, silage, soybeans and hay. They operate a fall corn maze, pumpkin patch and agritourism experience. They are also active with the Elkhart County 4-H dairy program.
John and Cynthia have four children, including Nate and his wife Alyssa, who work off the farm; Nick, who is enrolled at the U.S. Marine Corps Officer Candidate School in Quantico, Va.; Luke, a senior at Purdue University studying professional aviation; and Faith, a senior at Fairfield High School.
For the "Young Dairy Producer of the Year" award, IDP honored Ben Dirksen, 26, of Randolph County. At age 17, he worked with his father to build a new barn that would eventually become the base for his future dairy operation. Two years later, he was able to purchase the barn, along with 200 acres of farmland. In 2016, he went to an auction and purchased his own milking equipment. He has been milking cows for two years now and has a herd of 230 Holsteins.
Ben's parents, Matt and Paula, accepted the award on his behalf.
Both of the awards were presented last Thursday during the second Indiana Dairy Forum in French Lick.
Earlier in the day, Doug Leman, IDP executive director, presented a $1,000 scholarship to Gloria Koester of Wadesville. She is a sophomore at Purdue University majoring in agricultural economics. She is also involved in the Purdue University dairy club.
In other news, IDP President Brian Houin recognized members of the IDP board who have completed their terms of service. These outgoing members include Ken McGuffey, retiring after 20 years as an industry advisor; Nathan Hrnicek, also an industry advisor; and dairy farmers Fred Kunkel of Decatur and Liz Kelsay of Whiteland.
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