FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 30, 2008
David Pelzer
(847) 627-3233
davidp@rosedmi.com
National Dairy Board Honors Dairy Leaders with Richard E. Lyng Award
Lang, Rutherford Recognized for Contributions to Dairy Promotion
NASHVILLE, Tenn. – The National Dairy Promotion and Research Board (NDB) honored Iowa dairy producer Maynard Lang and New York dairy producer Clyde Rutherford as recipients of the Richard E. Lyng Award for their dedication and service to dairy promotion. Both producer leaders were recognized at the Joint NDB/National Milk Producers Federation/United Dairy Industry Association Annual Meeting in Nashville, Tenn.
The award is named after former U.S. Department of Agriculture Secretary Richard E. Lyng, who played a key role in implementing policies that led to the establishment of the NDB 25 years ago.
The Lyng Award honors dairy industry leaders who have made a significant contribution to dairy promotion that benefits the entire dairy industry.
“Both honorees have dedicated more than 30 years of service to help benefit their fellow dairy producers and the broader industry,” said Kimberly Clauss, California dairy producer and NDB chair.
Lang has been an active dairy industry leader for more than 60 years and an active leader in dairy promotion since the 1970s. He played a key role in the creation of Dairy Management Inc.™, which manages the national dairy checkoff program. He also served as NDB chair from 1996 to 1998, leading dairy checkoff strategies that helped increase sales and keep dairy top-of-mind with consumers.
In addition, Lang was co-chair of the Midwest Dairy Association, helping unite dairy producers from nine states to better use checkoff dollars and bring together producers in a merger between the then Midland Dairy Association and American Dairy Association/Dairy Council Upper Midwest. “The merger’s success was largely due to Maynard’s skills in building consensus among dairy producers,” said Clauss.
Rutherford, who currently serves as president and chair of Dairylea Cooperative, Inc., has been an integral part to the success of the dairy checkoff’s strategic business plan that was implemented in 2006. Rutherford worked tirelessly to bring dairy checkoff and dairy company leaders together to identify ways the industry can work in partnership to grow sales for U.S. dairy producers.
“Clyde’s unending generosity in sharing his industry knowledge and building partnerships has been key to helping the dairy checkoff build sales and meet unmet consumer demand,” Clauss said.
He played a key role in the establishment of the producer-created Innovation Center for U.S. Dairy, established earlier this year. Rutherford serves as treasurer for the Innovation Center, which is an industry-wide forum to identify solutions that will help dairy producers and the industry survive and thrive in the future.
As recipients of the Lyng Award, Lang and Rutherford will each receive a $2,500 donation in their name to Iowa State University and State University of New York (Cobleskill), respectively.
For more information about the national dairy checkoff program, visit www.dairycheckoff.com.
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The 36-member NDB, formed in May 1984 under the authority of the U.S. Department of Agriculture, carries out coordinated promotion and research programs to help build demand and expand domestic and international markets for U.S.-produced dairy products and ingredients. NDB funds, in part, Dairy Management Inc.™, which manages the national dairy checkoff program.