Burke and Lisa Larsen of Scottville, Michigan, were selected as the state winning 2010 Outstanding Young Dairy Cooperators (OYDC). They represented Michigan Milk Producers Association’s (MMPA) District 11 and the Muskegon Local in the annual OYDC conference held Aug. 18-19. Scott and Alissa Ferry of Litchfield, Michigan, were selected as runners-up. They represented Michigan Milk Producers Association’s (MMPA) District 1 and the Hillsdale-Litchfield Local. The Larsens and Ferrys were selected to participate in the program earlier this year by fellow dairy farmers in their district.
Burke and Lisa are the sole proprietors of their 350-cow, 1,450-acre dairy farm they purchased from Burke’s parents in 2004. Burke serves as a board member and a delegate of the MMPA Muskegon Local. He also serves on the Mason County Farm Bureau Board. Lisa is a special education teacher. The Larsens have three children: Lindsay, Leah and Leta. As the state winning cooperators, Burke and Lisa will represent MMPA at various industry and Association activities.
Scott and Alissa are the sole proprietors of a 300-cow, 1,200-acre dairy farm they purchased from Scott’s father Harold. Through MMPA, Scott serves as a delegate of the Hillsdale-Litchfield Local.
Selection of the OYDC is based on the applicant’s farming operations, farm-related and community activities and demonstrated leadership abilities.
The State OYDC Conference, held at MMPA headquarters in Novi, Michigan, provides participants with information about milk marketing activities, cooperatives, milk testing procedures and other current events within the dairy industry. The program has been held annually during the past 60 years.
“The OYDC program identifies outstanding young leaders in our organization and provides an opportunity for them to gain a greater understanding of milk marketing activities and MMPA,” says Ken Nobis, MMPA president.
All the MMPA District OYDC’s will be officially recognized at MMPA’s 2011 Annual Meeting to be held next March in Lansing.
—From MMPA news release
PHOTOS:
Top Right: Lisa and Burke Larsen
Bottom Left: Scott and Alissa Ferry
