Holstein Breeders gather for “Together Again in 2010”
The Kandiyohi Holstein Association hosted the annual Minnesota All-Breed Dairy Convention at the Holiday Inn and Willmar Conference Center in Willmar, Minn., March 4-6, 2010. Over 200 dairy cattle breeders from across the state were in attendance for the convention.
On Thursday afternoon before the festivities began the Minnesota Holstein Association (MHA) held their March board of directors meeting and discussed the upcoming events and planning necessary for the association. While the board met the MHA’s dedicated history committee was busy setting up the annual convention highlight the MHA history room and silent auction.
On Friday morning the Minnesota Purebred Dairy Cattle Association held their meeting in which they had a great turn out of individuals eager to improve and share ideas. Following the meeting was the annual PDCA Awards Luncheon. During the luncheon the 2010 Distinguished Breeder Awards were presented to Les and Jo Olson of Olson Brown Swiss, Spring Valley, Minn., Pat and Karen Brodeen of River Bend Farm, Cook, Minn., and Macland Holsteins, Pine Island, Minn.
Following the luncheon numerous breed associations met to discuss their past and upcoming year’s activities. The Minnesota Holstein Association held numerous committee meetings and also provided an exciting update and preview on the upcoming National Holstein Convention in Bloomington, Minn. Individuals also had the opportunity to enjoy the beautiful alternative program that visited a local winery and New London shops.
The hallways were empty soon after the general session as everyone was off to prepare for the annual convention awards banquet. At 5:00 p.m. the foyer was packed again with good looking dairy breeders in their best enjoying a social hour before the doors opened to the banquet.
Stephanie Stout, Red & White Dairy Cattle Association was our Master of Ceremonies for the evening banquet. Senator Amy Klobuchar was in attendance and provided a warm welcome to all the convention attendees. Rulon Gardner, Olympic Gold Medalist provided a motivational presentation as he shared his inspirational story.
Numerous individuals were honored at this year’s banquet including our Minnesota Holstein Association Distinguished Junior Members, Person of the Year, Longtime Meritorious Service Award Winners and Young Distinguished Breeders. This year’s Distinguished Junior Member was Megan Herberg, St. Peter. Receiving the award of Person of the Year was Laura Olson of Hutchinson and receiving the prestigious Longtime Meritorious Service Awards were Mary Swart, New London and Russ Wirt, Lewiston. The final award presented of the evening was the Young Distinguished Holstein Breeder Award that was presented to the well deserving Andy and Jodene Stuewe of Hamburg.
A live auction was held at the end of the banquet to raise funds for numerous different organizations. Items included a series of unique paintings, painted by Pam Klatt and donated by the Kandiyohi Holstein Association, a few themed baskets raising funds for the 2010 National Junior Holstein Convention. The final items were the preferred pages of the 2010 National Holstein Convention Souvenir Booklet. Numerous individuals practiced their bidding skills but only a select few went home with auction items.
Saturday morning included numerous breed organization meetings including the Holstein Annual Meeting. During the annual meeting a Minnesota Junior Holstein Association report was given by MJHA president, Molly Neil along with the retiring presidential address from the MHA President, Spencer Hackett. Nominations were taken and the election of MHA directors was held, newly elected to the board this year is John VanderWal of Pipestone and Chad Buehring of Rush City. The meeting concluded with the discussion and passing of the resolutions and any other new business.
The events for the convention were wrapped up with the Saturday award luncheon. Numerous breed princesses were present at the luncheon and provided the audience with an update from their breeds associations. Princess Kay of the Milky Way, Elizabeth Olson also gave the audience an inspirational talk on the importance of education and promotion along with the influences the organization and convention has had on her. During the luncheon the final awards of the convention were presented. The Minnesota Holstein Association presented a retiring directors award and watch to Marvin Pearson and Spencer Hackett for their 9 dedicated years of service to the board. President, Spencer Hackett also presented the President’s Award to Heidi Scapanski for her hard work and dedication.
The MHA Board of Directors met at the conclusion of the convention to elect officers for the upcoming year. The executive board includes President, Mike Sheehan, Vice President, Lane Johnson and directors Gale Hoese, Jim Paulson, Pam Hendel and Mark Schmitt.
Following the luncheon National Representatives from Holstein USA were present and the Holstein USA Region 6 Member meeting was held.
The All-Breeds Annual Convention is held every year in March. For more information on this or other events, check out the website www.mnholstein.com, or call 320-259-0637.