2023 Members of Distinction

There’s no more noble calling than feeding the world. To be a dairy farmer takes courage, passion and dedication. When going above and beyond for the animals in their charge, as stewards of the land under their boots and with a devotion to the community they call home, that’s truly distinctive. It’s why each year we recognize one DFA family farm from each of our seven geographical Areas as our Members of Distinction.

2023 Members of Distinction

Dennis Rodenbaugh, President and Chief Executive Officer

It's an honor to recognize these seven families as our 2023 Members of Distinction. The positive impact they have not only on our Cooperative, but also in their communities is tremendous. The calling to be a dairy farmer never came with the promise of an easy life, but what a noble and rewarding purpose.

Lee Holtmeier and Team – Central Area

Not your typical dairy farmer, Lee Holtmeier was raised in the sale barn business, where he helped with livestock auctions — until 2000, when he became manager of Linn Willow Creek Dairy in Linn, Kan., and later part-owner.

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The De Groot Family – Mideast area

Johan and DJ de Groot operate Sunshine Dairy in Andrews, Ind., milking 2,400 Holstein cows, with a focus on cow comfort and connecting with their community. They hope to one day pass on their farm to their children, Hannah and Daniel.

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The Byl Family – Mountain Area

First-generation Dutch immigrant farmers, brothers Steve and Paul Byl own and operate Dutch Cowboy Dairy in Paragonah, Utah, milking 5,500 Holstein cows with help from the next generation — Steve’s son Matt — and their 25 employees.

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The Morin and Hermonot Family – Northeast Area

Mother-daughter duo Diane Morin and Erica Hermonot, along with their husbands, work together milking 415 Holstein cows and continuing the more than 100-year legacy of their dairy farm, Fairholm Farm in Woodstock, Conn.

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The Graft Family – Southeast Area

Adam Graft and his wife, Jane, operate a 9,000-cow dairy farm, Leatherbrook Holsteins in Americus, Ga., with help from their four children. Adam built the farm from the ground up and continuously makes investments to better his operation.

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The Vieth Family – Southwest Area

When Scott Vieth took over the dairy farm his parents started in 1972 in Windthorst, Texas, he put a focus on technology, building a state-of-the-art tunnel vent barn complete with nine robotic milkers. Today, he milks 550 Holstein cows.

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The Vander Eyk Family – Western Area

Robert (Bob) Vander Eyk milks 2,800 Jersey and Holstein cows with two of his sons, Derek and Brian, and his wife, Arlene, on their sustainability-focused dairy in Pixley, Calif., complete with a solar farm and an anaerobic digester.

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