Farley Man Honored with State Dairy Leadership Award

A Farley man is one of two state dairy leaders who have been honored with the Ralph Keeling Leadership Award. 

The Iowa State Dairy Association presented the awards at the association’s annual meeting earlier this month in Ames. 

The award is presented annually to two Iowans who have shown outstanding leadership in Iowa’s dairy industry. This award is in honor of the late Ralph Keeling. Keeling operated a successful dairy farm and business, devoting much of his time and talents to progressing Iowa’s dairy industry. 

The first recipient was Molly Pelzer of Tipton, who was recognized for her leadership in the dairy checkoff. She began her work as a program director working with schools and health care professionals to eventually being named CEO of Midwest Dairy in 2019. Through her leadership, Midwest Dairy focused on maximizing the dairy farmers’ investment in the dairy checkoff by strategic collaboration with targeted retailers, foodservice, wellness, and industry partners, as well as focusing on research that leads to the development of solutions for industry and consumer needs. Pelzer retired from Midwest Dairy in the spring of 2024. During her tenure, she played a critical role in building trust and demand for the dairy industry and enjoyed working closely with the farmer-led boards.

The second recipient was Tom Simon of Farley. Simon farms in a multi-family partnership where they milk 560 Holsteins and operate over 500 acres of corn and alfalfa. In 2021, they built a robot barn to expand the herd. Simon has implemented an extensive IVF program to amplify the best genetics in his herd. Not only has his passion for genetics impacted his herd, but he helped improve the genetic progress of the Holstein breed, creating leading bulls that improve overall efficiency and profitability. Simon has been heavily involved in progressing the dairy industry in Iowa through years of progressive breeding as well as the leadership of the various boards and committees he’s been a part of. He served as president of the Iowa Holstein Association, has been involved in local milk and sire cooperative boards and gives numerous tours every year to local community members as well as international visitors to help showcase the state’s dairy industry.

photo courtesy of Iowa State Dairy Association