PHOENIX – The National Dairy Promotion and Research Board (NDB) honored Glen Easter and Larry Hancock as the 2024 co-recipients of the Richard E. Lyng Award for their contributions and distinguished service to dairy promotion.
The award is named for former U.S. Department of Agriculture Secretary Richard E. Lyng, who played a critical role in implementing policies that led to the establishment of NDB more than 35 years ago. It honors leaders who have made a significant contribution to dairy promotion that benefits the entire industry.
Hancock and Easter were honored at this week’s Joint NDB/National Milk Producers Federation/United Dairy Industry Association Annual Meeting in Phoenix.
Easter and his wife, Marilyn, operated their dairy in Laurens, S.C., and sold their cows before Hurricane Helene struck the Southeast last month, which created damage in their area.
Easter has a long history of checkoff and industry leadership. He was the longtime chair of the Dairy Alliance board and vice chair of the American Dairy Association board. He also served on the United Dairy Industry Association (UDIA) and Dairy Management Inc. (DMI) boards as well as the Dairy Farmers of America (DFA) corporate board.
“I cannot think of someone more deserving of this honor than Glen Easter,” said Geri Berdak, CEO of The Dairy Alliance. “Every day from dawn to dusk, Glen’s leadership and unwavering dedication to the dairy industry nurtured not just cows, but communities. His lifelong commitment to dairy farmers and the work of the dairy checkoff is truly inspiring.”
Hancock and his family have a dairy in Muleshoe, Texas, and over the years, he has served in many leadership positions. He has been on the Dairy MAX, NDB and UDIA boards, served as treasurer of the DMI board, sat on the DFA board and was the chair of the U.S. Dairy Export Council.
Hancock stepped away from much of his dairy responsibilities at the farm to devote more time to the ministry.
“Larry’s leadership, integrity and unwavering commitment to the dairy checkoff and the entire dairy industry has left an indelible mark on us and everyone he’s touched,” said Mike Konkle, CEO of Dairy MAX. “As Larry has embarked on a new calling, his well-deserved recognition of this award serves as a testament to the extraordinary impact he’s made. Larry leaves us better, inspired and grateful.”
As part of the Richard E. Lyng Award, the NDB will contribute $2,500 in each winner’s name to an organization of their choice.
For information about the dairy checkoff, visit www.dairycheckoff.com.
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The 37-member National Dairy Board, formed in May 1984 under the authority of the Dairy Promotion Stabilization Act of 1983, carries out coordinated promotion and research program to help build demand, and expand domestic and international markets for dairy products and ingredients. NDB funds, in part, Dairy Management Inc., which manages the national dairy checkoff program.
