The Common Thread Award was presented to five women in the San Joaquin Valley, California area. Barbara Burroughs, F. Ophelia “Buzz” Fisher Burtner, Vinci Ricchiuti, Sally Sharer, and Loretta Cardoza Toledo were recognized for their community service and active participation in their counties.

Jerry Jennissen, Brooten, Minnesota, was recognized as the 2008 YDLI Distinguished Alumni Leader Award recipient.

Seven Members of Distinction were recognized by Dairy Farmers of America for their vision, leadership and innovation in the dairy industry. The 2009 honorees, one from each of DFA’s regional areas, include Gillins Dairy, Inc., Minersville, Utah; Koepke Farms, Inc., Oconomowoc, Wisconsin; Koster Dairy, Comanche, Texas; Lumbra Dairy, Enosburg Falls, Vermont; Pine Tree Dairy, LTD, Rittman, Ohio; Tjaarda Dairy, Shafter, California; and Tri-M-Valley Farm, LLC, Cane Hill, Arkansas.

In its second year, DFA’s Scholarship Foundation provides $1,500 awards to deserving students pursuing careers in the dairy industry. Awardees in 2009 include Brenda Arnold, Drexel, Missouri; Curtis Beidel, Springfield, Pennsylvania; Tyler Boyd, Parrotsville, Tennessee; Amber Ettinger, Kinards, South Carolina; Stephanie Heilman, Kittanning, Pennsylvania; Rosemary Liskey, Harrisonburg, Virginia; Benjamin Meyer, Linn, Kansas; Megan Schrupp, St. Paul, Minnesota; Ashley Sears, South Deerfield, Massachusetts; Kira Tate, Larsen, Wisconsin; and Hannah Young, Clifton Springs, New York.

INTEGRITY Ag Systems, Chambersburg, Pennsylvania, was named as a nominee for Best Application of Technology at the 17th Annual Technology Awards Gala hosted by the Technology Council of Central Pennsylvania

—From Western United Dairymen, Holstein Foundation, Dairy Farmers of America and INTEGRITY Ag Systems