Dairy Shrine brings together dairy producers, scientists, students, educators, technical consultants, processors, dairy food manufacturers, marketers and others who share a desire to preserve our dairy heritage and keep the dairy industry strong. Founded in 1949 by a small group of visionary dairy leaders, Dairy Shrine now has nearly 20,000 lifetime members that encompass virtually every facet of the dairy industry.

Our Mission

The Mission of the Dairy Shrine is to strengthen a vibrant dairy industry by inspiring its future, honoring its past, and preserving its history.

Board of Directors

Dairy Shrine Directors

Abby Bauer
2021-2024
Hoard’s Dairyman
Lake Mills, WI 53551

Scott Borgwardt
2023-2026
Kuhn North America
Brodhead, WI 53520

Christen Burgett
2023-2026
Iowa State University
Ames, IA 50011

Kate Geppert
2020-2026
Kingdom City, MO 65262

Dairy Shrine Directors

Ashley Hagenow,
Student Board Member
2022-2025
Alice in Dairyland
Poynette, WI 53955

Linda Hanson
2018-2024
Good-Vue Ayr Farms
Goodridge, MN 56725

Brittany Thompson Heizer
2020-2026
Cargill
Snow Camp, NC 27349

Pam Hendel
2021-2024
Midwest Livestock Systems, LLC
Caledonia, MN 55921

Dairy Shrine Directors

Jason Johnson
2022-2025
Lactalis
Northwood, NH 03261

Lloyd Metzger
2022-2025
Valley Queen
Milbank, SD 57252

Regan Jackson,
Student Board Member
2023-2026
Louisiana State University
Boyce, VA 22620

Bill Peck
2023-2026
Welcome Stock Farm
Schuylerville, NY 12871

Dairy Shrine Directors

Carol Regusci
2020-2026
Lactalis
Modesto, CA 95356

Tricia Sheehan
2021-2024
Dairy Management, Inc.
Rosemont, IL 60018

Royce Thornton
2018-2024
Ohio State ATI
Wooster, OH 44691

National Office and Board Members

Mike Opperman

Executive Director
National Dairy Shrine
P.O. Box 68
Fort Atkinson, WI 53538
920-542-1003
[email protected]

Officers & Executive Committee

James Huffard III, President
2018-2024
Huffard Dairy Farms
Crockett, IA 24323

Tina Larson, President Elect
2019-2025
World Wide Sires
Pine Island, MN 55963

Janet Keller, Past President
2017-2023
K-Manor Holsteins
Muscoda, WI 53573

Joe Airosa
2021-2024
Airosa Dairy
Tipton, CA 93272

Jodi Hoynoski
2020 – 2026
Tyson
Gill, MA 01354

Sarah Schmidt
2021-2024
AMPI
New Ulm, MN 56073

National Dairy Shrine Presidents

2022 Matt Iager
2021 Dennis Funk
2020  Nate Janssen
2019  Larry Schirm
2018  Dan Bernick
2017  Alicia Lamb
2016  David Pierson
2015  Fred Hendricks
2014  Maggie Murphy
2013  Dale Olver
2012  Erick Metzger
2011  Mary Shank Creek
2010  Corey Geiger
2009  Kevin Stiles
2008  Linda Hodorff
2007  David Galton
2006  Carl E. Zurborg
2005  Bonnie Burr
2004  John M. Meyer
2003  Dr. Duane Norman
2002  David Selner
2001  Richard Denier
2000  Thomas Aitchison
1999  Bernard Heisner
1998  Julie Larson
1997  Ron Long
1996  Janice Keene
1995  Steve Larson
1994  J. Lloyd Ebersole
1993  Maurice Core
1992  David Kjome
1991  J. Lee Majeskie
1990  C. Frederick Foremen
1989  Bill Maynard
1988  George W. Opperman
1987  Robert M. McKown
1986  Robert W. Basse
1985  Ray R. Schooley
1984  Charles L. Norton
1983  Lewellyn S. Mix
1982  Keith King
1981  Eugene C. Meyer
1980  Max L. Dawdy
1979  T. Ray Spann
1978  Ivan K. Strickler
1977  Marvin L. Kruse
1976  Archie M. Meekma
1975  Donald V. Seipt
1974  George W. Trimberger
1973  Robert P. Niedermeier
1972  David L. Gibson
1971  Melvin L. Kenley
1970  Arthur R. Porter
1969  Joe P. Eves
1968  Robert H. Rumler
1967  William T. Diamond
1966  Henry Uihlein, II
1965  James H. Hilton
1964  Harold J. Shaw
1963  H. H. Kildee
1962  James F. Cavanaugh
1961  Harry A. Herman
1960  William D. Knox
1959  John C. Thompson
1958  F.W. Atkeson
1957  Harold S. Searles
1956  George S. Bulkley
1955  Floyd L. Johnston
1954  Earl Weaver
1953  Fred S. Idtse
1952  William A. Wentworth
1951  Horace W. Norton, Jr.
1950  Karl B. Musser
1949  Fred S. Idtse(Acting)

History of Dairy Shrine

The mid 1940’s were the dawn of a tremendously interesting and exciting 50 years for the U.S. dairy industry. World War II had just ended. Dairy farming had been quite prosperous during the war years, and dairymen generally were optimistic about the future. It was in this atmosphere that the idea of the National Dairy Shrine was germinated.

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