BROOMFIELD, Colo. — As part of the 2016 Farm Aid program, Horizon Organic® announced the 2016 recipients of two annual awards that honor its family farmers for their commitment to organic agriculture and milk production. Brian and Agnes Koenigsknecht of Havengreen Organic Dairy in Fowler, Mich. received the Horizon Organic Producer Education (HOPE) Award for being strong advocates for organic agriculture in their community and throughout the dairy industry. Stephen and Hope Galens of Galens Homestead Acres in Clifton Springs, N.Y. won the National Quality Award, which recognizes the Horizon farmer partner who produces the highest quality organic milk in the entire Horizon milk supply. In addition, Corey and Ann Chapman in Tunbridge, Vt. and Paul and Jason Tillotson in Pavilion, N.Y. were named as honorable mentions for the HOPE Award. This year’s recipients attended the annual Farm Aid concert in Bristow, VA., on Sept. 17th, and were honored at a Horizon awards dinner on Friday, Sept. 16th.
“Our nearly 700 family farmers nationwide are truly the heart of Horizon, and we couldn’t be more proud of their passion for producing high-quality organic milk for families to enjoy and feel good about,” said Mike Ferry, president of Horizon. “We are pleased to honor the Koenigsknecht family with this year’s HOPE award for their promotion of organic dairy, and thrilled to, once again, recognize the Galens family, three-time recipients of the National Quality Award, for producing the highest quality organic milk in our Horizon milk supply.”
HOPE Award: Brian and Agnes Koenigsknecht, Fowler, Mich.
The Koenigsknecht family began farming organically in the early 1980s, and have shipped milk to Horizon since 2002. They’ve done this while raising ten children! This summer, they provided farm tours to eight groups, including families from local Catholic parishes where two of their sons serve as priests. Depending on the group, Brian will adjust the tour to meet their needs.
“This summer we had a few farmer groups walk the farm with us, and I’ll offer a more in-depth education experience for them,” Brian Koenigsknecht says. “It takes some preparation for each different group, but we enjoy doing it.”
The Koenigsknechts are willing to share their knowledge because when they first started farming organically there were few resources available to them. Brian says the biggest challenge they faced while transitioning from conventional farming was maintaining an open mindset about the different methods used by organic farmers.
“It’s more than just removing chemicals from the crops,” Brian says. “It’s putting in different plants for better soil quality, using cover crops, and managing herd health differently. Organic crops make a difference in the health of our cows. I’ve farmed both conventionally and organically, and I notice the change. It makes a real difference.”
All ten Koenigsknecht children helped on the farm growing up, and they still return on occasion to drive a tractor or help with the calves. Brian and Agnes’ second-youngest son, Dean, plans to eventually take ownership of Havengreen Organic Dairy.
The Koenigsknecht’s family values are apparent as they reflect on their approach to farming. “We are very fortunate and our family has always been the priority,” says Brian. Agnes Koenigsknecht sees the benefit of having Brian around all-day, everyday for the kids, even while working long hours.
“Organic farming has worked for us,” Agnes Koenigsknecht says. “We didn’t have to live around chemicals and herbicides, so it was safe to be on our farm. We’re so thankful to the consumers who buy our products, and help us stay in business.”
National Quality Award: Stephen and Hope Galens, Clifton Springs, N.Y.
Stephen and Hope Galens milk 22 cows on the 160-acre farm where Stephen grew up with his brother, Paul. The Galens are three-time recipients of Horizon’s National Quality Award, receiving the distinction in 2012, 2014 and 2016 for delivering the highest quality milk of all of Horizon producers. They began shipping milk to Horizon in 2010. Stephen attributes their milk quality to an ability to adapt quickly to changes on the farm, observation skills and simple patience.
“Every farm is different, so you need to make adjustments for each particular farm,” says Stephen Galens. “We’ll keep doing what we’re doing as long as we can. I think part of our success comes from our consistency, I try to go about my day the same way every day. I also need to be vigilant to spot any issues as they arise, which can keep me on my toes and interested in what I’m doing. It’s much like all other walks of life – you need to stay engaged with the work you’re doing in order to enjoy it.”
When Stephen speaks with farmers who are hesitant to transition from conventional to organic farming, he explains that organic dairying can be lucrative when done correctly, and that it’s important not to view organic regulations as a barrier.
“It’s an attitude change,” he says. “Organic farming comes with different challenges than conventional farms are used to, but they aren’t necessarily hurdles that are too hard to overcome.”
The Galens family is willing to be a resource to other organic farmers, but also respects the different farming styles within organic production as well.
In addition to the National Quality Award, each year Horizon also recognizes the top 10 percent of Horizon farmers in each state whose milk is the highest quality within the network. For consideration, farmers must ship organic milk to the company for one full calendar year, and the average test results for each shipment must be among the best in their respective states.
The families recognized with the 2016 HOPE and National Quality Awards were among the attendees at the 2016 Farm Aid concert in Bristow, VA. America’s longest running concert-for-a-cause, Farm Aid is held annually to help further its mission to keep farm families on their land. Horizon Organic has been a sponsor of Farm Aid since 2003.
HOPE Award: Honorable Mentions
In addition to the winner of this year’s HOPE Award, Horizon also selected two honorable mentions for the 2016 HOPE Award. Corey and Ann Chapman of Chapman Family Farm in Tunbridge, Vt. and Paul and Jason Tillotson of Cottonwood Farms in Pavilion, N.Y.were also invited to Farm Aid in Bristow, Va. to receive recognition for their hard work and commitment to the organic industry.
Corey and Ann Chapman have shipped to Horizon since 2012. Last year they purchased a farm in their hometown of Tunbridge, Vt. with hopes of preserving farmland heritage in the region and to pass along a profitable organic farm to their five children in the future.
Corey is a U.S. Marine veteran with 11 years of service, a member of the Farmer Veteran Coalition and of American Legion Post 51. He farmed conventionally for 10 years before learning about organic farming. However, during his transition to organic, Corey enrolled in soil management courses to assist with his own training and education. Today, he mentors and hires young adults to help them determine if farming is right for them before they purchase a farm of their own.
The Chapmans open their farm to a local 4-H club and help supply the members with calves. Additionally, the farm welcomes school groups and students from Vermont Technical College to visit and learn more about organic dairying. This type of on-farm education also provides an opportunity for the family to spend time together.
“We want our kids to know how to grow organically, which is all they’ve ever known,” says Ann Chapman. “But whether or not they choose to farm, we want them to be environmentally savvy and to believe in sustainable agriculture.”
The Chapmans assign their kids chores based on focus, ability and interest.
“If the kids aren’t able or interested in a certain task, we find something else for them to do,” says Ann. “We don’t want them to grow up resenting farm work. Work can be play, so we find chores for them to do that are fun and never really push it on them. They will have fun memories of farming and that will make them want to come back in the future.”
The Tillotsons.
The next generation is already interested. “I’ve got a six-year-old who would take over the whole farm tomorrow!” says Ann.
Paul Tillotson and his son Jason own Cottonwood Farms in Pavilion, N.Y., a farm that has been in the family for more than 100 years. This unique history makes Cottonwood Farms a registered Century Farm through the Agriculture’s Lasting Heritage program. Today, Jason and his wife, Tonya, are raising their four children on the farm. They transitioned the farm from conventional to organic in 2007, and have been shipping to Horizon ever since. Although the farm is a historic landmark, the Tillotsons are open to innovation. Recently they began robotic milking, which has transformed their farm’s efficiency.
Paul has transferred much of the farm management to Jason, but he continues to make himself available as needed and where he can be close to his grandchildren. Jason intends to maintain the size of their herd, approximately 300 cows, on their 640 acres. The overall health of the animals is of utmost importance to Jason.
“The biggest change we’ve seen since transitioning to organic is the cow health, which we believe impacts the future health of humans as well,” says Jason Tillotson.
Cottonwood Farms also received the American Dairy Association and Dairy Council’s(ADADC) 2016 “Dairying for Tomorrow” Environmental Stewardship award in the Western New York region, and received top-honors for environmental stewardship nationally by the ADADC as well.
About Horizon Organic
Horizon believes in the power of simple, happy foods to feed the imagination, inspire fresh experiences and create fun family moments. From a delicious variety of certified organic dairy products to pantry staples, like Snack Crackers, Snack Grahams and Mac & Cheese, all Horizon products are packed with organic goodness. Founded in 1991, Horizon was a pioneer in the organic industry, the first company to supply organic milk nationally and remains committed to providing great-tasting products that make it easy for moms to help grow curious, confident kids. Since its founding, Horizon has been dedicated to supporting a healthier planet and makes good on this promise through offsetting emissions associated with the energy used to produce its products and working with nearly 700 organic dairy family farmers across the U.S. For more information about Horizon products, visit horizondairy.com.
About Farm Aid
Farm Aid’s mission is to build a vibrant, family farm-centered system of agriculture in America. Farm Aid artists and board members Willie Nelson, Neil Young, John Mellencamp and Dave Matthews host an annual concert to raise funds to support Farm Aid’s work with family farmers and to inspire people to choose family farm food. Since 1985, Farm Aid, with the support of the artists who contribute their performances each year, has raised more than $45 million to support programs that help farmers thrive, expand the reach of the Good Food Movement, take action to change the dominant system of industrial agriculture and promote food from family farms.
— Horizon Organic