Nominations sought for Allamakee County Dairy Banquet set for March 24

Award nominations due by this Friday; Princess applications due by March 1

The 2018 Allamakee County Dairy Banquet will be held Saturday, March 24 at the Allamakee County Fairgrounds Pavilion in Waukon. The meal will be served from 7-8:30 p.m., with the program starting at 8 p.m. The annual celebration recognizes the importance of the dairy industry in Allamakee County and the contributions dairy families make to the industry.

Every year, top producers from the county are recognized at the banquet. In addition, several other awards are presented that evening. The Allamakee Dairy Promotion Board and the Allamakee County Extension Office are accepting nominations through February 23 for the following awards:

• Outstanding Young Dairy Family Award - Honors young dairy farmers who have achieved excellence in managing their dairy enterprises, have contributed leadership to the dairy industry, and are respected in their communities. Dairy producers must be 35 years of age or younger to be nominated for this award.
• Pioneer Dairyman - A long-time dairy producer who may or may not still be in production. This producer has made a significant contribution to the dairy industry, but has not been previously recognized as part of a Distinguished Dairy Family.
• Distinguished Dairy Family Award - Recognizes active dairy producers who have consistently exhibited exceptional milk quality and are outstanding in nearly all phases of dairy farming and service to the industry.
• Service to Dairy Industry Award - For those people who have had long careers in the dairy industry and have made valuable contributions to its future. A letter of nomination should be submitted indicating why a particular person or business should receive this award.
• Golden Butter Knife - Given to a county business for the promotion of real dairy products. A letter of nomination should be submitted indicating why a particular person or business should receive this award.
• Dairy Scholarships - Sponsored by the Dairy Promotion Board. The Scholarship is open to any high school or college student that is a resident of Allamakee County and is enrolled in dairy science or an agriculture field of study. Scholarship applications are due by March 1.

In addition, applications are being accepted until March 1 for candidates for the crown of 2018 Allamakee County Dairy Princess. Dairy Princess candidates must live in Allamakee County. She or her parents must either own dairy cattle and have cattle engaged in milk production, or they must be actively employed in a dairy operation.

Candidates must be between 18 and 22 years of age, and must be unmarried. The Dairy Princess will make personal appearances during the year at events such as county banquets, parades, the Allamakee County Fair and other public events.

Nomination/application forms for each of these awards/honors and a list of previous winners are available at the Allamakee County ISU Extension and Outreach office in Waukon or online at www.extension.iastate.edu/allamakee. All award nominations are due to the Extension office by the Friday, February 23 deadline.