Clayton County Dairy Banquet recognizes royalty, local producers
Local dairy producers and industry supporters were recognized at the annual Clayton County Dairy Banquet, held April 8 at Johnson’s Reception Hall in Elkader.
New dairy royalty crowned at the event included princess Maya Pierce, daughter of Chuck and Rhea Pierce of Guttenberg. Kayla Hunt, daughter of Chad and Erin Hunt of Elkader, was named the 2022 Little Miss Squirt.
For the sixth year, the Clayton County Dairy Promotion Committee has offered scholarships to support the county’s youth education beyond high school. 2022 recipients are Dacia Schoulte and Rebecca Schumann. Schoulte is the daughter of Josh and Megan Schoulte of Farmersburg, while Schumann, the 2021 Clayton County Dairy Princess, is the daughter of Bill and Sally Schumann of Garber.
The Dairy Best award, presented annually to an eating establishment in Clayton County that does an outstanding job of serving real dairy products to the public, went to TD’s Sports Bar and Grill in Elkader. Chelsea and Tyler Hanson took over the business from Chelsea’s brother, Andrew Armstrong, in 2020.
Carol Johnson received the Dairy Appreciation Award, which honors a person or business that supports the dairy industry. Her commitment to the dairy industry has been lifelong, not only as a producer but as a leader and supporter of 4-H and the Clayton County Fair.
The Senior Dairy Award honored Larry Landsgard, an individual who has provided outstanding support to the dairy industry and producers. Landsgard began farming in partnership with his father in 1980, milking registered Holsteins, and later adding milking shorthorns. Since then, there have been many achievements from the farm, and several of his cows have been successful in the show ring at local, district and national levels. Landsgard officially retired from milking in 2020, and last fall sold the rest of the young stock, but still has ownership of several animals to keep him involved.
David and Anna Wilson of Rose-Maar Dairy were named the 2022 Clayton County Young Dairy Producers, which recognizes young dairy producers who have achieved excellence in managing their dairy enterprise and have contributed leadership in the dairy industry and their communities. Rose-Maar Dairy was started in 2016 when David and Anna started registering and buying cattle together, and it was officially established in 2019 when they were married. They milk 95 cows consisting of Brown Swiss, Holsteins and Red and Whites in a tie stall barn.
The Distinguished Dairy Producer Award honors dairy families who have achieved excellence in managing their enterprise while contributing leadership to the dairy industry and their communities. This year, it went to Bill and Sally Schumann, who currently milk 150 Holstein cows.