Brandt Dairy Honored as 2019 DFA Central Area Member of Distinction

Brandt Dairy Honored as 2019 DFA Central Area Member of Distinction

The Brandt family, owners of Brandt Dairy in Linn, Mo., has been named among the 2019 Members of Distinction by Dairy Farmers of America (DFA).

The Members of Distinction program recognizes dairy farmers who excel on their operations, in their communities and in the industry. Honorees inspire others through their actions, leadership and involvement. They represent the best of the dairy industry.

DFA comprises nearly 14,000 farmer-owners across the United States. Each year, one notable member farm from each of DFA’s seven regional Areas is selected to receive this honor. Brandt Dairy represents the Cooperative’s Central Area.

Nestled in the foothills of the Ozark Mountains, Alfred Brandt was born into dairying. Today, as the sixth generation on the farm, he milks about 130 registered Holsteins and raises 120 acres of corn and alfalfa in Linn, Mo., along with his wife, Sonya, a lawyer in town, and his son, Sam.

“I was born and raised in this house and on this farm,” says Alfred. “There were six kids in the family, so we all worked together growing up. Those are the same memories that I want my son to have.”

For Alfred, dairying is more than just milking cows. It means advocating and promoting the entire agriculture industry in his home state of Missouri. Through the years, he has been active in several different orgs, including being an advisor for the Missouri Farm Bureau’s Dairy Committee as well as president of the Missouri Holstein Association. In 2015, he also played a role in helping lawmakers develop the Dairy Revitalization Act.

“I would love for legislators to get out and visit farms, especially dairies, so that they can see what we need,” says Alfred. “We need sensible regulation for farmers, and a lot of legislators are beginning to understand that, particularly if they can get out on the farm and see what our needs are as farmers.”

For more on the Brandt family watch the following video:

Wyatt Bechtel
Mon, 03/25/2019 – 05:00

Category

Dairy (General)
CoOps
Missouri

Comments

Dairy
Missouri
CoOps

News Article

Image Caption
The Brandt family, owners of Brandt Dairy in Linn, Mo., has been named among the 2019 Members of Distinction by Dairy Farmers of America (DFA).

Image Credit
Dairy Farmers of America
Source: Dairy Herd