Americus, Ga., Dairy Farm Owners Chosen as 2007 Members of Distinction by Dairy Farmers of America, Inc.

Lamar and Jerry Anthony

Dairy Farmers of America, Inc. selected Lamar Anthony and Jerry Anthony, the owners and operators of Anthony’s Dairy of Americus, Ga., to receive its most prestigious award – the 2007 Member of Distinction
Award. The Anthonys received the recognition based on their vision, leadership and innovation in the dairy industry.

One farm from each of DFA’s seven Areas was selected and members were recognized with a video and award presentation during DFA’s Annual Meeting Tuesday, March 20 at the Hyatt Regency Hotel in Kansas City, Missouri.

Other 2007 DFA Members of Distinction included the owners and operators of Crosswinds Dairy of Portales, N.M.; Diamond Three Dairy of Shelley, Idaho; RV Dairy of Winton, Calif.; Three Star Dairy of McCook, Neb.; Weir Farms of Hanover, Mich.; and Walker Farms of Fort Ann, N.Y.

 “These members have found unique ways to ensure their success in the industry and are positive examples for us all,” says Rick Smith, DFA’s president and chief executive officer. “This is a great achievement.”

Extensively training, motivating, and rewarding employees has been the key to success at Anthony’s Dairy. The dairy, which began with a few cows that were milked by hand in the 1930s, now boasts a milking herd of 1,000, state-of-the-art facilities and careful attention to the environment. Named “Farm of the Year” for their soil conservation practices, brothers Lamar and Jerry Anthony are ensuring the future of the dairy in more ways than one.

Anthony’s Dairy is a family business. Jerry heads up farm operations, while his wife, Edna, manages the finances. Lamar runs the dairy operations, and his wife, Lynda, handles cow and heifer records. The farm raises replacements and grows corn and ryegrass for forages.

Helping run the successful operation are the dairy’s 20 employees. The brothers believe that motivating and rewarding these employees is important. Lamar and Jerry are forward thinking in their management style, developing mission statements along with specific goals and objectives for each area of operations. Regular team meetings keep employees involved and engaged, and an incentive program provides a share in the dairy’s successes.

Despite their daily responsibilities in operating the dairy, they make time to give back. Jerry has served on the county school board and farm bureau board, the SUDIA Board, and, along with his brother, the American Dairy Association Board. Lamar has served on the Dairymen, Inc., state and corporate boards, Georgia Milk Producers Board and Georgia Agricultural Commodity Commission for Milk. Lamar also has served on the DFA resolutions committee.