College of Agriculture & Natural Resources Department of Animal Science

2020

THEODORE (TED) FERRIS

Theodore (Ted) Ferris, Ph.D., has been a recognized faculty member in the Michigan State University (MSU) Department of Animal Science and member of the national dairy science educational and research communities for more than 40 years. Ted grew up on a dairy farm in Pennsylvania. He earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Animal Industry-Dairy Science in 1971 from Pennsylvania State University. He moved to East Lansing for his graduate degrees, completing a Master of Dairy Science with an emphasis on nutrition and calf health in 1974, and a Ph.D. in Dairy Cattle Breeding and Genetics in 1981. He worked with his father’s dairy farm prior to seeking his Ph.D. Joining the MSU Animal Science faculty in 1981, Ted divided his time between Extension and research. Ted led countless Extension meetings benefiting producer and industry education, particularly using PCDART software to manage and evaluate herd performance. He led the development of the Dairy Area of Expertise Team, the first Extension AoE Team with Joe Shaltry and Bill Robb. This involved computer networking for the team and developing curriculum for new Extension Dairy Educators. He helped develop “Breakfast on the Farm” into state-wide and multi-state events seeking to connect the public to food production and developed exit surveys to publish the impacts of these educational farm tours on consumer trust. Ted was very involved with industry organizations including the Michigan and National Dairy Herd Improvement Associations (DHIA); the Michigan Animal Breeders Cooperative (MABC) helping with their annual seminars; and the Michigan Purebred Dairy Cattle Association. He served on many committees for the American Dairy Science Association (ADSA) and National DHIA. Recognized for his contributions to academia and industry, Ted received the Alpha Zeta Distinguished Faculty Service Award, the Epsilon Sigma Phi Extension Team Award for the Animal Management Advancement Program, the Outstanding MSU Extension Specialist Award, the Michigan Ag Extension Agents Association Extension Specialist Award and the MSU Extension John Hannah Award for Program Excellence. Active in research, Ted’s work has had tangible impacts on Michigan’s dairy producers through improved awareness of biosecurity practices, enhanced understanding of the economics surrounding cow and sire selection strategies, and embryo transfer. He worked with Select Sires’ young sire committee to improve the use of pedigree information in selecting young sires. He organized an ADSA symposium on Functional Genomics that helped lead to discussions between USDA-AIPL and bull studs to formulate genomic predictions for U.S. dairy cattle. Co-investigator on 29 grant-funded projects, Ted’s insight and expertise is valued as evidenced by his authorship of four books, including a documentary on the history of DHIA and the Dairy Farm Analysis Workbook, along with countless articles, abstracts, and research reports. Ted appreciated the value of learning, networking and communication, and his commitment to personal development also played out in his advising of several graduate students and many years as adviser to the MSU Dairy Club. Ted has served as Dairy Extension Program Leader, coach of the Animal Ag AoE Teams, and as faculty coordinator for research at the MSU Dairy Teaching and Research Center since 2007. During his youth, Ted participated in 4-H and Boy Scouts, earning the rank of Eagle Scout. He continued in Scouts by serving as Assistant Scoutmaster and Scoutmaster, and Chief Okemos Council Contingent Leader to Philmont Scout Ranch. His service to Scouting was recognized with several prestigious Scout awards. Ted’s impact on the industry will continue through his legacy of involvement in Extension team development, Be Aware Be Prepared efforts to improve on-farm biosecurity, young sire selection strategies, and consumer education with Breakfast on the Farm. For his significant contributions, the Department of Animal Science and the dairy community are pleased to recognize him as an Honoree of the Michigan Dairy and Memorial Scholarship Foundation.

2021

DAVID BEEDE

David K. Beede, Ph.D., has been a member of and leader within the education and research communities of the U.S. dairy industry since 1974. David grew up on a small livestock and crop farm in southeast Colorado. As a youth active in 4-H, he showed and judged livestock, which took him to Colorado State University for state-level events including judging contests and 4-H Congress. He became familiar with some of the faculty in Animal Science and set his sights on attending CSU. Near the end of his 4-H career in 1968, he attended the 4-H Citizenship Short Course in Washington, D.C. While attending CSU, David began his long career in research as a work study student helping with various animal science research projects. Known for his ability to find novel solutions to address old problems, David participated early in life in creative projects including training bison yearlings to wear a muzzle mask to allow measurement of respiratory gas exchange to quantify basal metabolic heat production. David completed his M.S. at the University of Nebraska in beef cattle nutrition and his Ph.D. at the University of Kentucky in ruminant nutrition before taking a position at the University of Florida in dairy nutritional physiology. From 1980-1994, and subsequently as the C.E. Meadows Endowed Chair of dairy management and nutrition at Michigan State University, engaging in research, teaching and extension/outreach efforts aimed to coalesce dairy nutrition, management and environmental issues and opportunities with efficient use of resources for ecologically sustainable dairy systems. In 2015, David took sabbatical leave at the University of California-Davis and the University of British Columbia-Vancouver to focus on coursework development and teaching in the area of sustainable animal agriculture. David retired as Professor Emeritus from Michigan State University in 2018. Recognized for his contributions to academia and industry, Dave has been the recipient of numerous awards including the American Dairy Science Association’s (ADSA) Applied Dairy Nutrition Award, Merial Dairy Management Research Award, the Award of Honor for Outstanding and Distinguished Service and was inducted as Fellow of the ADSA. He received the Outstanding Extension Specialist Award from the Michigan Association of Extension Agents, and served as the MSU Delegate to LEAD21, a year-long leadership development program sponsored by the Land Grant Universities, USDA and the Cooperative State Research, Extension and Education Service (CSREES). With nearly $10 million from 42 grants and endowment resources, David trained numerous graduate students and undergraduate researchers in his laboratory. He authored 19 book chapters, 68 refereed journal articles, 116 conference proceedings and 67 popular press publications. In 14 countries around Asia, Europe, South American and Australia as well as the U.S., David gave 201 talks focused on consulting and education in ruminant management and nutrition. He was Editor-in-Chief for the international reference e-book Large Dairy Herd Management (3rd edition) published in 2017 by ADSA. David is known as a dedicated and visionary leader who has had his “finger on the pulse” of the dairy industry, allowing changes to be made proactively. He has the foresight to identify future challenges and his leadership greatly benefited ADSA as well as the dairy industry. He served a two-term membership on the Editorial Board of the Journal of Dairy Science (JDS) in the late 1980s and provided extensive leadership for ADSA annual meetings. He was Chair of the 1988–1989 ADSA Physiology Program Committee, ADSA Production Division Secretary and Chair in 1996–1997, Chair of the ASDA Production Division Meeting Program in 1997, and Overall Chair of the first Joint Meeting Program Planning Committee in 2000 in Baltimore. He became more deeply involved in the leadership of ADSA when he was elected to the Board of Directors on which he served from 1998–2004. He was elected Vice President in 2001 and served as President from 2002–2003 and immediate Past President from 2003–2004. In addition, he served on the Federation of Animal Science Societies (FASS) Board of Directors from 2003–2004. In retirement in his home state of Colorado, David continues to contribute to the animal sciences as editor-in-chief of the Applied Animal Science journal. He enjoys fly fishing and also works in the Rocky Mountain Flycasters chapter of Trout Unlimited helping to conserve and restore Coldwater fisheries, and with conservation projects in the Cache La Poudre River Basin.

2022

CHUCK COURTADE

For over 47 years, Chuck Courtade of Dairy Farmers of America, has been serving dairy farmers in his home state of Michigan and across multiple states. Chuck is currently Senior Customer Account Manager for DFA’s Mideast sales and marketing team. He works with customers on a regular basis and previously was a Member Services Manager that oversaw field staff within the Michigan/Indiana region. “Chuck has a wealth of knowledge and experience in the industry and works diligently on behalf of the Co-op members,” his nominator said. “He is able to bring creative solutions and value-added ideas to the table with his knowledge, commitment and passion for the industry.” Growing up around Grand Rapids, Michigan, that passion and commitment for agriculture spawned from a young age. Chuck, who lived on a farm until he began the fifth grade, always worked and spent time around family-run operations. Once he graduated from Davenport University, he went back to his roots of working for family farms. Courtade held several positions with Independent Cooperative Milk Producers Association prior to the merger with DFA, allowing him the opportunity to get to know multiple generations of families. His more than four decades of work have held many memories and learning experiences — from recalculating milk checks by hand when the market administrator miscalculated the price to being a part of the merger with DFA. He has always been driven to work in the best interest of his dairy farmer members. Chuck has always said, “Dairy farmers are truly the best people in the world and my family, and I have been blessed to have so many wonderful friends as a result of this industry.” Beyond DFA, Courtade is involved within his community, church and the dairy industry. Chuck has served various roles on the Michigan Dairy Conference, Michigan FFA Foundation Board, Michigan Dairy Industry Review Committee, Michigan TB Committee and Michigan Dairy Memorial Scholarship Foundation at Michigan State University. Chuck and his wife of over 43 years, Beverly, reside in Comstock Park, MI. They have 3 grown children and 4 grandchildren.

KATHY LEE

Kathy Lee was born and raised on her family’s dairy farm near Grand Ledge, Mich. It was here where the lifelong dairy educator’s passion was first fueled for the industry she came to embody through her professional career and volunteer commitments. Lee, who was heralded and respected by so many for her advocacy of the industry, dedication to helping producers improve their herds and farm profitability, and championing of dairy youth programs, passed away May 28, 2019. Lee graduated from Michigan State University (MSU) in 1977 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Dairy Science. She completed her Master of Science program in dairy cattle breeding and genetics at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University and earned a Ph.D. in dairy cattle breeding and genetics from Iowa State University. She started her professional dairy science career as an assistant professor and Extension dairy specialist in the Dairy Science Department at Virginia Tech. Lee then applied her expertise in dairy cattle breeding and genetics at the Holstein-Friesian Association of America, where she assisted with the quarterly sire evaluations and production of the Red Book as the Director of Animal Breeding Services. In 1995, she returned to Michigan where she joined MSU Extension as a dairy educator, a role she still performed at the time of her death. Lee was known as an astute editor and critical reviewer and edited the Michigan Dairy Review. She also authored numerous publications and invited presentations during her tenure. Lee maintained membership affiliations with the American Dairy Science Association and the Michigan Association of Extension Agents. She served for many years on the Michigan Dairy Memorial and Scholarship Foundation. Additionally, Lee served for more than 15 years on the Michigan Dairy Herd Improvement (DHI) Board of Directors and the NorthStar DHI Advisory Committee. She helped to integrate DHI in the cooperative and advance its adoption in the dairy industry to improve herd performance and farm profitability. One of the most notable accomplishments of Lee’s career was one she held close to her heart. She enthusiastically shared her deep passion for the dairy industry with youth. She was a positive presence every July at the 4-H Dairy Days dairy quiz bowl contest at MSU and in the fall at the national youth dairy quiz bowl contest held at the North American International Livestock Exhibition in Louisville, Ky. Lee’s contributions to the profession were recognized by her peers. In 1999, she was awarded the President’s Citation from the Michigan Association of Extension Agents and was part of the State Team Award presented by Epsilon Sigma Phi (MSU) in 2000. Lee was honored by the Missaukee County Conservation District with its Friend of Agriculture honor in 2003 and received the Outstanding Service to Agriculture award from the Michigan Milk Producers Association Evart Local in 2006. She was presented posthumously with the 2019 Pioneer Award by CentralStar Cooperative. It is with deep respect and appreciation for Kathy’s contributions to the dairy industry that the Board of Directors recognizes her as a Foundation Honoree.

DON MARTELL

Don Martell started working with the Michigan dairy industry in 1975. He grew up on his family’s dairy farm in Berrien County near Three Oaks, MI. He graduated from Michigan State University in 1975 with a Bachelor of Science in dairy science. His education turned into a love for the dairy industry, and he always promoted the dairy industry and Michigan State University. Don worked five years (1975-1980) for Michigan State University Extension and the Michigan Dairy Herd Improvement Association (DHIA) as a fieldman. He then moved into dairy nutrition. He was a dairy consultant for Purina Mills for 21 years (1980-2001), and then with Diamond V as a dairy field technical specialist for 17 years (2001-2018). In those roles, he provided sales and technical assistance to dairy farmers, nutritionists, and veterinarians in the U.S. and Canada. He is widely recognized as an expert in feeding management as a result of his work conducting TMR and feeding audits on dairy farms. Since 2018 he has served as an instructor in the MSU Department of Animal Science, teaching dairy herd feeding management. He has also lectured on dairy feeding management to students in the large animal veterinary programs at MSU and Purdue University. Don has been a member of the American Dairy Science Association (ADSA) for 35 years. He also belongs the American Registry of Professional Animal Scientists (ARPAS) for 35 years and he served as a board member of its Midwest Chapter 2014-2017. Martell has been involved for many years with the Tri-State Dairy Nutrition Conference, serving two terms as a planning board member from 2015-2017. Don has an unbelievable talent for training people both as nutritionists and dairy producers. His tremendous passion for the dairy business is shadowed by his desire to help people. He is highly respected for his willingness to walk barns, shake out TMR rations, make ration nutritional adjustments, and counsel producers and nutritionists. As Don has done this, his humble nature always has him giving the credit to his team. It goes without saying that his engagement and leadership is paramount in helping others succeed in the dairy industry. Today, Martell resides in DeWitt with his wife Marie. The couple has two daughters, Alina and Lana.

TOM MICHALEK

Dr. Thomas (Tom) Michalek was born and raised on the family dairy farm in Perry, MI with his parents, George and Frances, and 3 brothers, Monsignor George, Ronald, and Jeffery. Tom graduated as valedictorian of his high school class and subsequently graduated in 1981 from the Michigan State University (MSU) College of Veterinary Medicine. Tom practiced as a veterinarian for 38 years at Thumb Veterinary Services (previously known as Deckerville Veterinary Clinic). As a co-owner of the practice, he worked primarily with dairy clients. In addition, Tom served as an Adjunct Associate Professor at MSU for students in the preceptorship program. He mentored over 100 veterinary students over the years, inviting them to live with his family, ride along on his farm calls and observe daily practices at the clinic with himself and other veterinarians to provide them a glimpse of the broad spectrum of veterinary medicine. Tom served on the Michigan Board of Veterinary Medicine and was a member of the American Veterinary Medical Association, Michigan Veterinary Medical Association, American Association of Bovine Practitioners, and the Thumb Veterinary Medical Association for his entire career. In his spare time, Tom volunteered many hours to the Sanilac County 4-H and FFA programs by checking in animals at the fair and supporting interested youth in agriculture and animal science. As a youth, Tom was an FFA member and state FFA officer as well as participating in 4-H in Shiawassee County. In addition to his veterinary and agricultural commitments, Tom was a member of the Knights of Columbus in Sandusky where he was the financial secretary for over 35 years, loved to golf and bowl, enjoyed singing and especially loved the Spartans. Green and White were his favorite colors! Dr. Thomas E. Michalek, 66, of Kalkaska, MI, died April 4, 2022, in Zephyrhills, FL of pancreatic cancer. Tom leaves behind his cherished wife Lucinda, son Nicholas and wife Jeanna (Ellsworth, MI), son Matthew and wife Becky (Laingsburg, MI), daughters Sarah and Elizabeth (Lansing, MI) and two very special granddaughters, Shelby and Sophia.

2023

MARK ADAM

Until Mark Adam’s retirement from CentralStar Cooperative in 2020, he often said that he had never received a paycheck that didn’t come from a cow. He devoted the entirety of his professional life to the dairy industry and has been a strong and steadfast leader among the Michigan agricultural landscape for over three decades. Born and raised in Wakarusa, Indiana, Adam developed an early interest in dairy cattle by spending a great deal of time at his uncle’s farm. He began working as a DHI Technician after graduating high school and received the Agricultural Short Course certificate from Purdue University in 1975. Adam fitted cattle for numerous shows and sales. In 1980, he married the love of his life Donna, and they welcomed their daughter, Shelly, in 1986. He served as herdsman for Dr. G.W. Snider and Ron Kline from 1985 to 1987, and under his charge the herd achieved a 30,000-pound average with a 111% BAA. From 1987 to 2000, Adam enjoyed a successful career in A.I. Sales for Sire Power International, Inc., working his way up to the position of Eastern Regional Sales Manager. In 2000, after years of planning by the Board of Directors to diversify the cooperative, NorthStar‐Select Sires, Michigan DHIA, and Fox Valley DHIA merged, creating NorthStar Cooperative. Around this time, the Select Sires Federation purchased Sire Power, where Adam was the Eastern Regional Sales Manager, opening the door for him to join the cooperative and become the inaugural Director of DHI Services. Adam led the cooperative’s DHI Services for nine years, growing it from 1,000 herds representing 135,000 cows, to 1,350 herds with more than 285,000 cows. During this time, he facilitated mergers with Chippewa County DHI and Elkhart County DHI. As the cooperative’s offerings grew, so did the need for a leader to focus on integrating the various business areas. In January 2009, Adam was named Director of Integrated Services with the responsibility to create teams to better serve owners and customers. In 2015, Adam became General Manager and Executive Vice President of the cooperative. With the merger between East Central/Select Sires and NorthStar Cooperative, Adam was appointed Chief Operating Officer of CentralStar, a role he held until retirement in 2020. Adam was a member of the National DHIA (NDHIA) Board of Directors for eight years, during which he was elected vice‐president, and in 2006, became the first DHI Manager ever elected president of the 45‐year‐old organization. In 2022, Adam was awarded the NDHIA Outstanding Service Award, and at the beginning of 2023, he was recognized with CentralStar Cooperative’s Pioneer Award. Adam also served as Dairy Industry Advisor for the Michigan State University Dairy Club, a member of the Dairy Data Working Group as appointed by the Council on Dairy Cattle Breeding, and North American DHI Representative to the International Committee for Animal Recording Metering Devices Sub‐Committee. Adam’s contributions have made a significant and widespread impact on the dairy industry. Through his work, Adam has also made many lifelong friends. He seems to have a reserved seat at World Dairy Expo and has only missed one since the late 1970s. He is a diehard fan of both the Green Bay Packers and the Purdue Boilermakers. In his retirement, Adam enjoys spending time with his wife Donna, daughter Shelly and son-in-law Josh, and especially his grandson, Titus. We thank you, Mark, for the undeniable positive impact you’ve made on those around you and on our dairy industry. Congratulations on this well-deserved recognition as a Michigan Dairy Memorial Scholarship Foundation Honoree!

GARY (DOC) COLLINGS, D.V.M.

Gary (Doc) Collings, D.V.M. graduated from MSU’s College of Veterinary Medicine in 1977, satisfying a goal that first crossed his mind when he was in junior high school. Growing up with cattle on the farm, he was interested in how sick animals were treated and the efforts to prevent sickness. Following completion of his D.V.M., he returned to his “roots,” the Thumb of Michigan, to begin his dedicated service to the dairy farming community where he was born and raised. Dr. Collings joined the Deckerville Veterinary Clinic, a practice consisting of six doctors, predominantly dairy focused. As a partner, Gary guided the practice now known as Thumb Veterinary Services, which is an 11-doctor mixed animal practice serving the dairy industry of Michigan. Doc’s passion was serving his dairy clients, not only professionally, but as a trusted friend. Dr. Collings was a favorite among students over his career and mentored hundreds of high school, pre-vet, and veterinary students. He taught in a manner that fostered the respect of everyone who spent time under his guidance while shadowing on the farm. His witty conversations and challenging teaching style always ended with a “It’s been a great day!” response. Dr. Collings served as a 4-H leader, Project Red educator, and received the Jim Frey Award, presented in memory of the Brown City dairy producer and recognizing Dr. Collings’ service to the dairy industry. Dr. Collings mentored as a positive role model, demonstrating how to enthusiastically serve the dairy community, asking simple questions - knowing there were not simple answers. Doc brought his best to his work on a daily basis, and his attitude was very contagious! For his significant contributions to the Michigan dairy industry and education of future veterinarians, the Michigan Dairy Memorial and Scholarship Foundation is pleased to recognize Dr. Gary Collings as a Foundation Honoree.

JAMES (JIM) LIESMAN

James "Jim" Sawyer Liesman worked in dairy research as a research technician at Michigan State University for 49 years. First in the Dairy Department and then in Animal Sciences after the merger in 1980. He was born May 5, 1950 in Detroit and passed away on March 15, 2023. He attended Hudson High School. After graduation in 1968 he moved to East Lansing and attended MSU. He began to work in Dr. Roy Emery’s lab in the Dairy Department in 1973 on fatty acid metabolism and synthesis. Jim took graduate courses related to animal nutrition including biochemistry, and carbohydrate and lipid metabolism. Roy encouraged him to take statistics courses and Jim became very proficient setting up models and analyzing data. This gave him the ability to contribute more to dairy research papers published by Dr. Emery and Dr. Herdt (five on lipid metabolism and fatty liver in cows) and others at MSU. He helped a number of graduate students analyze their experiments. His knowledge of statistics provided him with a good foundation to critically review literature. This probably led to his passion for reading and discussing research with colleagues in Animal Science, Food Science and Human Nutrition, Veterinary Science and Physiology. Jim helped with studies looking at correlations of blood fatty acids before calving on health after calving and the effects of bST on fat metabolism. When Dr. Emery retired in 1997, Jim began a 25-year effort with Dr. Mike VandeHaar continuing to work on dairy nutrition with projects examining effects of diets on heifer growth and on mammary physiology in calves, heifers, and dry cows, on effects of diets on immune function, and on corn silage varieties and feed additives on milk production. For the past 12 years, Jim played a major role in compiling a database of cows with feed efficiency phenotypes and genotypes from several universities under the direction of Drs. VandeHaar and Tempelman. This work resulted in genomic ranking of US dairy bulls for the expected efficiency of their daughters to convert feed to milk. Jim was a co-author with Dr. VandeHaar on 15 publications in the Journal of Dairy Science. Jim was outstanding in his attention to detail as a research technician. Over his career he advanced his knowledge by taking course work, including a carbohydrate and lipids graduate class from Dr. Dale Romsos, attending seminars, and reading widely. As an intellectual Jim read many books and often encouraged friends and colleagues to read books related to scientific knowledge. Jim was an avid swimmer, biker, and runner. He swam competitively in high school and continued swimming afterwards. He ran in 5k’s to marathons, including the first Detroit Marathon in 1978. He biked the DALMAC 11 times and biked to work. In the community Jim volunteered fixing bikes for Share-A-Bike and at the Lansing Food Bank. From the 1980’s to about 2010 Jim held several important positions on the Bailey Community Association board which covered a very large and diverse neighborhood in East Lansing. After MSU removed the requirement that sophomores live on campus, there was a rush to convert older homes north of MSU to rental housing creating conflicts. Jim was at the forefront in trying to solve related problems by working with the city council and city officials. Jim was a founder of a nonprofit housing corporation for East Lansing with the aim to purchase houses in poor condition, repair them, and make them available to people of low or moderate income by giving them mortgage assistance. It is with great privilege that we recognize Jim Liesman as an Honoree in the Michigan Dairy Memorial and Scholarship Foundation.

KEN NOBIS

Ken Nobis has served the dairy industry in a wide range of state and national leadership positions. It is through his leadership to the dairy industry that Ken has made such an impact in Michigan and across the country. Ken was first elected to the Michigan Milk Producers Association board of directors in 1992 and served as vice-president of the association for seven years prior to being elected as president in March, 2007 and served in that capacity until 2019. Ken also served on the board of directors for United Dairy Industry of Michigan and the Michigan Livestock Expo on the state level. Ken’s leadership has also been recognized on the national level. He served as First Vice Chairman and on the Executive Committee for National Milk Producers Federation (NMPF) board of directors. He was chairperson of the NMPF Sustainability Committee, a member of the Dairy Management, Inc. board of directors and the U.S. Dairy Export Council board of directors. He was recognized with the Honorary Director for Life award by National Milk Producers Federation in 2021. In addition to his service to the industry, Ken remains an integral part of his family dairy farm. He has been farming in the St. Johns area after completing his college education at Western University and a two-year term in the Army. He operates a 1,000-cow dairy farm in partnership with his brother, Larry and they farm 3,000 acres. The Nobis Dairy Farm is viewed as one of the top herds in the state and is often utilized by Michigan State University for research trials. They have opened their farm to teaching, research and Extension for many years, serving as an extended classroom and laboratory for professors, students and Extension educators in Michigan. In 2006 the Nobis brothers were named the MSU Dairy Farm of the Year. In 2015, Nobis Dairy Farms received national recognition with the Outstanding Dairy Farm Sustainability Award presented by the Innovation Center for U.S. Dairy. In 2006, Ken and his brother Larry were named “Dairy Farmers of the Year” by Michigan State University. Ken was the recipient of the Honorary Alumnus Award from the Michigan State University College of Agriculture and Natural Resources Alumni Association in 2017 and received the Honorary Alumni award from Michigan State University in 2019. He served as the guest speaker for the Annual H. Allen and Ann Tucker Endowed Lectureship at Michigan State University in 2017. Ken was instrumental in developing MMPA’s partnership with the Food Bank Council of Michigan which was initially launched in 2015 and then further solidified when a milk donation was made to the families impacted by the Flint Water Crisis in 2016. The donation was made in partnership with Kroger Michigan Dairy. In 2020, Ken was appointed by Governor Whitmer to the Michigan Food Security Council formed to help address food insecurity in Michigan. In 2022, Ken was named a farmer ambassador by the Farm Journal Foundation which engages farmers and producers from across the country as advocates for investment in modern agricultural developments to ensure access to food and nutritional security internationally. Ken and his wife Liz have two sons, Kerry and Mitch. MMPA is pleased to recognize Ken Nobis as an honoree of the Michigan Dairy Memorial and Scholarship Foundation for his tireless efforts to serve as an advocate for the dairy industry and his many years of commitment and influential leadership to the state and national dairy industry.

2025 

GERALD SURBROOK

Gerald Surbrook was raised on a farm and spent his life in agriculture as a dairy farmer in Rives Junction, MI. He graduated from Jackson High School in 1956 and enrolled in the dairy short course at Michigan State University that fall. One year later he married his wife of 65 years, Barbara Surbrook, and they began farming together in 1959. Gerald and Barb have 2 children, Rick and Cheri, along with several grandchildren and great grandchildren. Grand Valley Farm operated as a dairy and crop farm for many years. It is still operational today with son Rick and grandson Jim operating the 800 acre farm of corn, soybeans, wheat and alfalfa. The 120 head dairy herd was dispersed several years ago. Gerald actively served the dairy industry. He served on the board of directors for Michigan Milk Producers Association, and Michigan Animal Breeders Cooperative and was a trustee for Michigan Livestock Exchange. His community service included volunteer firefighter, Rives Township Supervisor and trustee, Jackson County Soil Conservation District board member and Jackson County 4-H Fair Supervisor. Gerald was recognized for his accomplishments with the Distinguished Service Award in the 1984 Farmer’s Week magazine; the 2017 State of Michigan Governor’s Award, and he was also inducted into the Michigan Farmers Hall of Fame in 2018. Gerald was an avid collector of antique dairy farm memorabilia and was known for his large collection. For his significant agricultural, especially dairy, and community contributions, the Michigan Dairy Memorial and Scholarship Foundation is pleased to recognize Gerald Surbrook as a Foundation Honoree.

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