Nominations now open for 2026 IDFA Laureate, Innovative Dairy Farmer of the Year, Food Safety Leadership, and Workplace of the Year

WASHINGTON, August 15, 2025—The International Dairy Foods Association (IDFA) is seeking nominations for four top awards presented annually to leaders in the dairy industry. Nominations open today and close on Friday, Oct. 31. Winners will be announced and recognized at Dairy Forum 2026 in Palm Desert, Calif. Nominations are now open for the following awards: The IDFA Laureate Award, the Innovative Dairy Farmer of the Year Award, the IDFA Food Safety Leadership Award, and the IDFA Workplace of the Year Award.

The 2026 IDFA Laureate Award

The seventh annual IDFA Laureate Award honors an outstanding leader whose career has significantly impacted the dairy industry’s growth and development. Candidates from all segments of the dairy industry – milk, cheese, ice cream, yogurt and cultured products, and ingredients – as well as suppliers and academia are eligible for the award. The awardee will be selected by a panel of industry professionals based on the nominee’s overall career achievements. The recipient will be recognized during Dairy Forum 2026. Nominations must be submitted by Oct. 31, 2025. Additional details are here:

Criteria

  • Demonstrated exceptional achievements and contributions to the dairy industry.
  • Proven leadership within the industry.
  • Achievements that reflect innovation, vision, and the ability to inspire others.

Submissions

  • Complete the IDFA Laureate form here.
  • Additional information and letters of recommendation may be attached to the nomination form.
  • There is no fee to enter.
  • Submit nominations to Matt Herrick at mherrick@idfa.org.

2026 Innovative Dairy Farmer of the Year Award

The twenty-eighth annual Innovative Dairy Farmer of the Year award is co-sponsored by IDFA and Dairy Herd Management magazine. IDFA and Dairy Herd Management seek nominations of active U.S. dairy farms that have embraced innovation, technology, and industry partnerships, to achieve greater productivity and growth. Nominees will be evaluated based on their current practices and preparedness to meet future economic and business challenges. The winning operation will be highlighted in the January 2026 issue of Dairy Herd Management magazine and recognized during Dairy Forum 2026. The deadline for submitting nominations is Oct. 31, 2025. Additional details are here:

Criteria

Those nominating farms and/or operations must describe:

  • Use of technology or partnerships to enhance farm efficiency, sustainability and growth opportunities for the farm.
  • Preparedness to meet future economic and business challenges.
  • Distinctive practices that set the operation apart from peers.
  • Community involvement and impact.
  • Any other acknowledgements or achievements the judges should consider.

Submissions

  • Complete the 2026 Innovative Dairy Farmer of the Year nomination form here.
  • Additional information including letters of recommendation may be attached to the nomination form.
  • There is no fee to enter.
  • Submit nominations to Jessica Matsko at jmatsko@idfa.org.

2026 IDFA Food Safety Leadership Award – An Individual

Now in its tenth year, the IDFA Food Safety Leadership Award will honor an individual from our membership who has demonstrated outstanding leadership toward enhancing food safety within the dairy products industry. The award, presented during Dairy Forum 2026, alternates annually between honoring companies or groups in odd years and individuals in even years. The deadline for submitting nominations is Oct. 31, 2025. Additional details are here:

General Qualifications for Nominees

The winner will be an employee of an IDFA member company that processes, manufactures, markets, or distributes dairy products; or a supplier company that supports the food safety efforts of dairy processors in North America. The winning individual must demonstrate outstanding leadership and contributions to the field of food safety for the dairy foods industry. Previous recipients are not eligible to be nominated.

Criteria

  • Complete the nomination form here.
  • Submit a nominations package that includes:
    • A cover letter that includes the name, position, and company of the nominee, as well as a summary of the individual’s achievements.
    • List specific activities and outcomes achieved during the past two years that would be considered significant food safety leadership achievements or accomplishments.
    • Evidence of originality, creativity and impact of these contributions.
    • Two and no more than three letters of support from professional peers.
  • There is no fee to enter.
  • Submit nominations to Matt Herrick at mherrick@idfa.org.

2026 IDFA Workplace of the Year Award

The third annual Workplace of the Year award is co-sponsored by IDFA and Dairy Processing magazine. The award will be given to an outstanding IDFA member company that has implemented policies to promote a positive workplace experience for employees. Award recipients will be recognized for their efforts to support women and minorities, create cultures of inclusiveness and respect, support professional development, established paid parental leave and flexible work hours, and gender pay equality, among other criteria. The awardee will be chosen by a third-party panel of industry professionals who will review redacted nomination packages. A representative of the awardee company will be recognized during Dairy Forum 2026. The deadline for submitting nominations is Oct. 31, 2025. Additional details are here:

Criteria

  • Must be an IDFA member company (dairy processor, gold business partner, or business partner).
  • Demonstrated initiatives supporting women and minorities.
  • Company demonstrates policies or recognition for fostering a culture of respect and empowerment.
  • Established policies to help employees get the most out of their work experience, including flexible hybrid policies, regular team meetings, parental paid leave, etc.
  • Established ERGs or other structures that support employees accessing professional development programs offered by IDFA and other organizations.
  • Documented ESG policy in place to support social criteria like gender pay equity, etc.

Submissions

  • Complete the IDFA Workplace of the Year form here.
  • Supporting information including external recognition, and letters of recommendation may be attached to the nomination form.
  • All nominations packages will be redacted before review. Therefore, we appreciate receiving materials that are not heavily branded.
  • There is no fee to enter.
  • Past winners are encouraged to reapply.  
  • Submit nominations to workplaceaward@idfa.org.

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Contact: press@idfa.org

The International Dairy Foods Association (IDFA), Washington, D.C., represents the nation’s dairy manufacturing and marketing industry, which supports more than 3 million jobs that generate $198 billion in wages and $779 billion in overall economic impact. IDFA’s diverse membership ranges from multinational organizations to single-plant companies, from dairy companies and cooperatives to food retailers and suppliers, all on the cutting edge of innovation and sustainable business practices. Together, they represent most of the milk, cheese, ice cream, yogurt and cultured products, and dairy ingredients produced and marketed in the United States and sold throughout the world. Delicious, safe and nutritious, dairy foods offer unparalleled health and consumer benefits to people of all ages.