Meet Our Expert Judging Panel 

An objective judging panel will make the final assessment and selection. The panel includes experts from academic institutions, USDA, dairy science organizations, International Dairy Foods Association, National Milk Producers Federation, national dairy publications, environmental leaders and dairy industry leaders.

 The panel is comprised of the following individuals:

• Robert Bonnie, Senior Advisor to the Secretary for Environment and Climate, U.S. Department of Agriculture
• Jim Carper, Chief Editor, Dairy Foods
• Dr. Leo Christodoulou, U. S. Department of Energy
• Dr. Jason Clay, Senior Vice President, Market Transformation, World Wildlife Fund
• Lawrence Elworth, Agricultural Counselor to the Administrator, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
• Dr. Molly Jahn, Professor, Laboratory of Genetics and Department of Agronomy, University of Wisconsin-Madison
• Larry Jensen, President, Leprino Foods and Chair, Innovation Center for U.S. Dairy
• Matt Kistler, Senior Vice President, Walmart
• Steve Larson, Managing Editor, Hoard’s Dairyman
• Dr. James Linn, Department Head, Professor of Dairy Nutrition, University of Minnesota; and President, American Dairy Science Association
• Joel Makower, Chairman and Executive Editor, Greenbiz Group Inc.
• Randy Mooney, Dairy Producer and Chairman, National Milk Producers Federation
• Dr. M. Gatz Riddell, Executive Vice President, American Association of Bovine Practitioners
• Paul Rovey, Dairy Producer and Chairman, Dairy Management Inc.
• Connie Tipton, President and Chief Executive Officer, International Dairy Foods Association
• Dave White, Chief, Natural Resources Conservation Service, USDA  

The panels’ varied experience will allow them to assess nominations from diverse perspectives as they evaluate and select the winners. Judges will also take into account differences in size, region and scope of projects, as needed.