Dairy of Distinction

THE PROGRAM

Awards will be based upon neatness, good maintenance and other factors that can be controlled by the dairy producer. Attractive background scenery should not be weighed heavily in judging. All judging observations should be made from a vehicle at one or more points on an adjacent public highway (or if farm is off the road, the nearest lane). Judging should give equal consideration to old wood construction and new construction of metal or concrete block.

The award program may be used for subsequent advertising or promotion activities for dairy products or dairy farming. Dairy producers who apply for awards agree that, if selected, they will cooperate with these activities and make all reasonable efforts to maintain both the exterior and interior of their properties in an acceptable condition.

HOW JUDGING WORKS

After the application deadline, the Maryland Dairy Shrine committee in charge of selections will contact the appropriate county extension representatives to fill out the scorecard in a timely manner. The nominee’s cooperative or milk handler will be contacted to approve milk quality. Farms must achieve a compliance score of 90 percent on their Dairy of Distinction score card. 

The committee may choose to cross-check the master list of all active dairies provided by the state of Maryland with previous award recipients and encourage dairies that have not yet received the recognition to apply. Previously awarded farms may be evaluated on an annual basis. Any dairy failing to maintain appearance standards will be asked to remove their sign.

Selected farms will be photographed by an appointed individual from the judging committee. For the presentation, one photo of the farm sign from the road and one of the whole farm is preferred.

RULES FOR THE DAIRY OF DISTINCTION AWARD

1. The Dairy of Distinction sign remains the property of the Maryland Dairy Shrine, the local affiliate of the Northeast Dairy Farm Beautification Program (NEDFBP) Committee.

2. The post and bracket shall be supplied by and maintained by the dairy farmer. NEDFBP suggests that a wood post 4” x 4” x 12’ or iron pipe 2” x 12’ be used. Posts or pipe should be installed and maintained in true vertical position with 8’ above ground. The top of the bracket should be lower than 6 inches from the top of the post. In addition, NEDFBP suggests that the sign be mounted in a frame to provide additional stability.

3. The sign shall be displayed in front of the dairy at roadside. An attractive post and bracket or other frame shall be used to display the sign. No more than three signs should be displayed from the sign frame or post, and all shall be of a style, general size and quality comparable to the Dairy of Distinction sign. The sign should be secured on all sides to avoid wind damage.

4. Signs shall NOT be moved to other premises, unless the farm is sold and transferred outside of the current farm name. In this instance, the award remains with the previous owner, and the new regime is eligible to apply for the award. The sign can be kept by the recipient but shall NOT be displayed roadside at a new location without re-evaluation from the committee.

5. If the farm is transferred to new owners within the current farm name and location, such as in family succession, the farm only needs to be reevaluated to keep the sign. There is not a need to formally apply again.

6. Replacement of damaged signs shall be at the discretion of the committee.

7. No producer shall be charged with scoring or sign expenses.

8. The judges’ decision will be final.

9. Applications can be submitted year-round. Deadline for the following year’s award recognition is March 31st. Impromptu judging will occur in April & May of the application year. All applicants will be notified of results in June. The award ceremony and award press will take place the following February at the Maryland Dairy Shrine banquet.

10. Farms awarded a Dairy of Distinction sign in previous years may be reevaluated at any time. If they do not qualify, they will be notified about reevaluation, with the opportunity to make improvements to keep their sign. Farms that do not requalify will return the sign to the Maryland Dairy Shrine.