Two of First District Association’s own were recognized at the National Milk Producers Federation (NMPF) Annual Meeting in Phoenix, AZ on October 22. First District Association’s FARM Program Manager, Nicole Frank, and member-owner, Carlson Dairy, LLP, were recognized as two recipients of the National FARM Program’s 2024 Excellence Awards. These awards recognize farms and a FARM evaluator who go above and beyond the program’s mission of continuous improvement. 

Carlson Dairy, LLP was awarded the Animal Care & Antibiotic Stewardship FARM Excellence Award for their efforts in implementing remarkable animal care practices on their farm. They have worked diligently with their veterinarian to create a well-planned vaccination program starting with their newborn calves, which has drastically minimized the need for any treatments needed throughout the animal’s life. In addition, the Carlson’s have been able to end the use of all antibiotic treatments on their lactating herd. 

“The goal is to put the best people and resources around us so that we can improve every day,” says Kindra Carlson, one of the owners of Carlson Dairy, LLP.  

The Carlson’s have 3rd, 4th and 5th generations all working on the farm. 

L to R: Carl, Curtney and Chad Carlson with FDA’s FARM Program Manager, Nicole Frank.

Nicole Frank received the Evaluator of the Year FARM Excellence Award for her commitment to the producers she works with, along with working with others in the industry to share the importance of the program. Nicole worked with veterinarian clinics First District’s farmers work closely with along with dairy inspectors with the Minnesota Department of Agriculture to answer questions related to the program and to gain support when working with farmers.  

A local veterinarian stated, “Nicole makes one of the finest FARM evaluators by updating her farmers on the newest changes in the FARM program, giving solutions to recommendations on the dairy producers’ farm, sharing and reaching out to resources to help address any recommendations, educating dairy producers and other related team members to the dairy producers’ farm.”  

Since 2021, Nicole has conducted over 500 Animal Care evaluations and 70 Environmental Stewardship assessments.  

Nicole Frank with NMPF Board Chairman, Randy Mooney.

The two other FARM Excellence Award Winners were awarded to farmers in the areas of environmental stewardship and workforce development. The National Dairy FARM Program created the FARM Excellence Awards in 2021 to recognize farms and evaluators with an unparalleled dedication to FARM Program principles. You can read more on this year’s winners and past winners on National Dairy FARM’s website.