AgStar Client Named 2010 Innovative Dairy Farmer of the Year
MANKATO, Minn. (January 25, 2010) – AgStar Financial Services client, Haubenschild Dairy Farm, Inc. of Princeton, Minn., was named the 2010 Innovative Dairy Farmer of the Year this month at the International Dairy Foods Association's Dairy Forum 2010.
Dennis and Marsha Haubenschild received the award from International Dairy Foods Association Vice Chairman Dave Fuhrmann, who is president and CEO of Foremost Farms, USA, Cooperative.
Now in its 12th year, this award recognizes U.S. dairy producers that apply creativity, excellence and forward thinking to achieve greater on-farm productivity and improved milk marketing. The award is co-sponsored by IDFA and Dairy Today magazine.
Haubenschild Dairy Farm, Inc., operates on 1,300 acres with 14 full-time employees and 1,100 cows. According to the judges, the farm was selected for its continued emphasis on innovative solutions and ideas, particularly in the areas of renewable energy and sustainability.
The farm was the first to sell carbon credits on the Chicago Climate Exchange, and owner Dennis Haubenschild met with then-Vice President Dick Cheney to explain the role that dairy operations can play in renewable energy. Teaming with the University of Minnesota, the farm is now helping to develop the prototype for a hydrogen-fuel cell-technology system. They hope to find ways to fuel the farm's tractors with hydrogen fuel cells made with biogas from the farm's digester.
"Dennis Haubenschild is an innovative leader, friend to the environment and a steward of the industry who uses education and experience to teach others," said Greg Steele, who nominated the farm for the award. Steele is vice president of Agribusiness Capital for AgStar Financial Services.
The farm also is featured in the January issue of Dairy Today magazine.
About AgStar:
AgStar Financial Services, ACA, headquartered in Mankato, Minn., employs more than 610 full-time team members. The company is part of the national Farm Credit System and has a public mission to serve 69 counties in Minnesota and northwest Wisconsin. The company has expertise in the corn, soybean, swine, dairy and bio-energy industries. AgStar has developed successful programs in loans, leases, crop insurance, tax services, accounting, consulting and rural home mortgages. As a value-added financial services cooperative, AgStar allocates patronage dividends to its 13,000 stockholders. Visit www.AgStar.com for more information.
Contact: Terri Fast
Terri.Fast@AgStar.com
507-344-5108
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