Horizon Organic Dairy Honors Farmers with HOPE Awards and Scholarships during Organic Month

Horizon Organic Dairy, a leader in the organic dairy sector, proudly celebrates Organic Month by announcing the recipients of the 2025 Horizon Organic Producer Education (HOPE) Scholarships and HOPE Awards. This time-honored initiative underscores Horizon’s deep commitment to farmers and the future of organic dairy.

The company, which has dominated the market for over three decades, believes that the synergy between doing business and making a positive impact can drive sustainable practices in agriculture. This month, Horizon honors over 500 family farmer partners who contribute to the brand’s legacy by providing high-quality organic milk.

The recipients of this year’s HOPE Awards and Scholarships showcase exemplary dedication to organic farming. Notably, Matt and Meghan Fry, esteemed mentors within the organic community, were honored with the Social HOPE Award. They embody the spirit of collaborative farming, guiding others as they transition into organic methods. Each HOPE Award recipient epitomizes the excellence expected in the organic dairy sector, serving as role models not only in farming but also in community involvement.

Between 2017 and 2022, the U.S. lost nearly 150,000 family-owned dairy farms, a challenging reality for an industry crucial to American agriculture. Horizon Organic remains steadfast in its mission to support these farmers, encouraging younger generations to engage in sustainable farming practices through its HOPE Scholarship program. This initiative is pivotal for aspiring agriculturalists from Horizon’s partner families, offering support for careers in organic agriculture and veterinary sciences.

This year, Horizon awarded scholarships totaling $236,500 to 85 young individuals since the program's inception. Winners included Macey Dahl from Pavilion, New York, Evan Frescura from Latrobe, Pennsylvania, and Zackary Tillotson, who expressed immense gratitude for the recognition and support, emphasizing its significance in carrying forward his family's farming legacy. He stated, "Being named a 2025 HOPE Scholarship recipient for the third time is an incredible honor for both me and my family."

The HOPE Awards this year also recognized outstanding figures within the community with several prestigious awards:
  • - Farmer/Partner of the Year: Ben Stoltzfus (Swampy Hollow Farm, Parkesburg, PA)
  • - Nature Award: Todd Frescura (Frescura Farm and Sunrise Ridge Farm, Latrobe, PA)
  • - Social Award: Matt and Meghan Fry (Fair Hill Farms, Chestertown, MD)
  • - Innovative/Pioneering Award: Riley Smith (Nature Ridge Organic Dairy, American Falls, ID)
  • - Legacy Award: Chuck Deichmann (Willow Creek Farm, Belmont, NY)
  • - Young Farmer Award: Daniel Sparks (Sparks Cedarlee Farm, Cassopolis, MI)
  • - Hauler of the Year: Idaho Milk Transport (Burley, ID)

Adding to the sense of community, Horizon Organic is a proud sponsor of Farm Aid 40. This event, which celebrates family farms, invites Horizon farmers and haulers to engage with a broader audience passionate about agriculture. Horizon Organic's commitment, lasting over two decades, solidifies its role in advocating for family-owned farms.

With its roots planted firmly in the principles of community and sustainability, Horizon Organic continues to pave the way for future farmers and the production of organic dairy. The brand, part of the Horizon Family Brands, envisions a healthier food system that nurtures families, farmers, and the environment alike. Horizon Organic's vision reflects their commitment to fostering a potential that nourishes not just farms, but entire communities.
For more information about their initiatives and products, please visit the Horizon Organic website. The brand’s mission is intrinsically linked to the wellness of society, reaffirming that high-quality food should accompany a commitment to healthy practices for people, animals, and the land.

Founded in 1991, Horizon Organic remains dedicated to providing families with dependable, innovative organic milk. As a certified B Corp, it works with farmers across the U.S. to ensure that high-quality, certified organic milk is accessible while upholding strict sustainability standards. Horizon’s influence in the organic movement is significant, as reflected in their solid partnerships with family farmers, which have developed over generations.

Horizon Family Brands, comprising Horizon Organic and Wallaby Organic, continues to champion a better food system for all, further solidifying its long-standing commitment to organic principles. Through initiatives like Farm Aid and the HOPE Awards, they aspire to not only nourish families but also inspire positive change in agriculture in the years to come.

Topics Consumer Products & Retail)

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