FORT ATKINSON, WI (May 4, 2026) — The highest level of recognition from the National Dairy Shrine has been awarded to Bob Hagenow – the 2026 Guest of Honor. This award recognizes a dairy leader who has made significant contributions to the dairy industry. Historically, recipients have been academic educators, researchers, or employees of breeding companies or breed associations. Hagenow joins this prestigious group as one whose primary contributions have been on a volunteer basis, outside his career.

Hagenow’s 39-year career with Vita-Plus has certainly been impactful to all around him. He currently supervises and coaches employees in the areas of goal setting, customer service, skill improvement, compensation, budgeting and career development. But his ongoing dairy industry leadership outside of his professional employment demonstrates a boundless energy and enthusiasm for the dairy industry and everyone in it.

One place where Hagenow has devoted a tremendous amount of time is World Dairy Expo. He’s been a member of the Board of Directors for many years and is also a member of the Executive Committee for World Dairy Expo. In his role as Secretary/Treasurer for World Dairy Expo, Bob is the “finance person” who keeps World Dairy Expo sustainable with a solid financial footing. During World Dairy Expo, Bob is visible in the Coliseum on the colored shavings as the long-time and highly effective lead ring steward for both the Brown Swiss and Holstein shows. He is constantly on his feet and walks many miles through the lengthy breed shows.

 

Hagenow also commits nights, weekends and vacation days to a variety of dairy youth activities. The Board President of the Wisconsin 4-H Dairy Fund, coach of county 4-H dairy judging teams, announcer for state youth dairy cattle shows at the Wisconsin State Fair and collegiate dairy club adviser are just a few of them. His constant presence and can-do approach to hosting and promoting youth events and activities is something that many dairy youth remember throughout their careers.

Hagenow’s zest for life, engaging personality and the thrill he receives from leaving a positive impact on others in the dairy industry is admirable, to say the least. All who spoke in his favor for this award are prominent figures in the dairy industry, and many of them used the words “servant leader” to describe him.

“I used to joke that if there was a dairy event in Wisconsin, there was an 80% chance you would see Bob Hagenow there – not just attending, but actively leading and making the experience better,” shares Josh Hushon, Strategic Marketing and Technology Director, Cargill Animal Nutrition North America Dairy. “It’s simply who he is and how much he cares about our industry and its future. Many leaders talk about servant leadership, but Bob embodies it. The stage is never too big or too small to receive his best. He shows up with the same energy, passion and belief in our industry no matter who else is there.”

Hagenow and his wife Lisa have two daughters, both of whom have inherited his joyful promotion of agriculture. Ashley and Sarah have both served as Alice in Dairyland – the first pair of sisters to ever have earned this role.

Hagenow will be formally recognized at the National Dairy Shrine Awards Banquet on Monday, September 28, 2026, in Madison, Wisconsin. His portrait will be added to the National Dairy Shrine Dairy Hall of Fame and Museum in Fort Atkinson.