Age: 44
History of your dairy, in a nutshell: My wife, Linda, and I own Seven Hills Dairy LLC near Goodland, having purchased it after moving from the Netherlands in 1996, where I grew up on a 60-cow dairy. I’m a fourth-generation dairy farmer, and together we own and manage 2,150 milking and dry cows and 1,950 replacement heifers.
“If I wasn’t a dairyman, I would be … ” rich.
How long have you been a member of IDP? Six years.
Why did you join? I was introduced to the Indiana Dairy Producers by Doug Leman. I wanted to help support the Indiana dairy industry.
A little-known fact about IDP is … We are an organization that is very involved in government agencies to make sure things are done right and keep Indiana dairy farmers updated on all the new rules and/or changes.
My favorite representative or employee is … Doug Leman, our executive director. I’ve known Doug for 12 years. He has a lot of experience as a dairyman, which he can use in his position right now to get the job accomplished.
What IDP does best is … promote a sustainable dairy industry in Indiana. We are the voice for Indiana dairy farmers.
I feel valued as a member when … we as a board work together on some of the issues brought by members or other organizations to make a positive change for the dairy industry.
An influential or interesting person I’ve met through IDP is … over the past six years I’ve met so many people through IDP who are important for our organization and also on a personal level that it would not be fair to point out just one person.
The dairy industry’s greatest opportunity is … there is so much more opportunity to market our products by having more modern, up-to-date advertising, like other products do, such as soft drinks. We can learn so incredibly much from these marketing people.
I hope my dairy legacy is … it is our kids’ decision to be involved in the dairy industry, but we help them where needed. It would be great to have a fifth generation continue our dairy.
My advice to all dairymen/dairywomen is … agricultural businesses are and will stay a challenge. Keep open-minded for the changes that are here or coming, and adjust to them accordingly. PD
Indiana Dairy Producers
205 W. Gordon Street
Francesville, IN 47946
(317) 695-8228
Contact by email
Year founded: 1999
Members: 69 percent of Indiana’s 178,000 dairy cows belong to IDP member farms.
Mission:
To promote a profitable, positive, professional image of dairy producerswhile providing educational opportunities for interchange of ideas and to speak as a proactive voice for Indiana dairy producers.
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Age: 44
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History of your dairy, in a nutshell: My wife, Linda, and I own Seven Hills Dairy LLC near Goodland, having purchased it after moving from the Netherlands in 1996, where I grew up on a 60-cow dairy. I’m a fourth-generation dairy farmer, and together we own and manage 2,150 milking and dry cows and 1,950 replacement heifers.
“If I wasn’t a dairyman, I would be … ” rich.
How long have you been a member of IDP? Six years.
Why did you join? I was introduced to the Indiana Dairy Producers by Doug Leman. I wanted to help support the Indiana dairy industry.
A little-known fact about IDP is … We are an organization that is very involved in government agencies to make sure things are done right and keep Indiana dairy farmers updated on all the new rules and/or changes.
advertisement
My favorite representative or employee is … Doug Leman, our executive director. I’ve known Doug for 12 years. He has a lot of experience as a dairyman, which he can use in his position right now to get the job accomplished.
What IDP does best is … promote a sustainable dairy industry in Indiana. We are the voice for Indiana dairy farmers.
I feel valued as a member when … we as a board work together on some of the issues brought by members or other organizations to make a positive change for the dairy industry.
An influential or interesting person I’ve met through IDP is … over the past six years I’ve met so many people through IDP who are important for our organization and also on a personal level that it would not be fair to point out just one person.
The dairy industry’s greatest opportunity is … there is so much more opportunity to market our products by having more modern, up-to-date advertising, like other products do, such as soft drinks. We can learn so incredibly much from these marketing people.
I hope my dairy legacy is … it is our kids’ decision to be involved in the dairy industry, but we help them where needed. It would be great to have a fifth generation continue our dairy.
advertisement
My advice to all dairymen/dairywomen is … agricultural businesses are and will stay a challenge. Keep open-minded for the changes that are here or coming, and adjust to them accordingly. PD
Indiana Dairy Producers
205 W. Gordon Street
Francesville, IN 47946
(317) 695-8228
Contact by email
Year founded: 1999
Members: 69 percent of Indiana’s 178,000 dairy cows belong to IDP member farms.
Mission:
To promote a profitable, positive, professional image of dairy producerswhile providing educational opportunities for interchange of ideas and to speak as a proactive voice for Indiana dairy producers.