Horizon Organic Celebrates Farmers Shaping Organic Dairy’s Future
Horizon Organic said it had selected four recipients for its 2026 Horizon Organic Producer Education (HOPE) Scholarships and seven recipients for its annual HOPE Awards. The company also confirmed support for Farm Aid 2026 and the Organic Trade Association’s Organic Week, both scheduled for September. Horizon describes itself as the largest USDA-certified organic dairy brand and works with more than 500 farmers across the United States.
The HOPE Scholarship programme, established in 2007, provides assistance to young members of Horizon farm families studying organic or sustainable agriculture or large-animal veterinary science. This year’s recipients are Macey Dahl of Cottonwood Farms in Pavilion, New York; Evan Frescura of Frescura Farm in Latrobe, Pennsylvania; Justus Visser of Natural Milk Too in Stanwood, Washington; and Rachel Hatch of Emary Springs Farm in Freedom, New York. Over 19 years, the programme has awarded 114 scholarships worth more than $300,000 to children, grandchildren and other young relatives of Horizon farmer partners.
Dahl said the award was her second consecutive scholarship and would provide “the confidence, stability and time” to concentrate on becoming a veterinary technician. She said she wanted to work with animals and the people responsible for their care. The company’s announcement identified the recipients as part of its support for a new generation of organic dairy and agricultural workers.
The 2026 HOPE Awards cover farming, conservation, community and logistics. Jerry Clapper of Clapper Farms in Laceyville, Pennsylvania, received the Farmer Legacy Award. Don and Debbie Moreda and Stephanie Moreda-Arend of Moreda Valley Dairy in Petaluma, California, received Farm Partner of the Year. Lucas Waugerman of Fair Family Farms in Manns Choice, Pennsylvania, was named Young Farmer of the Year, while Aaron Schmid of Mountain Meadow Dairy in Trout Lake, Washington, received the Nature Award.
Jonathan and Ella King of King Dairy in Rushsylvania, Ohio, received the Social Award. Benuel S. Beiler of Benuel S. Beiler Dairy in Cochranville, Pennsylvania, received the Innovative/Pioneering Award, and Moo Juice Express of Berne, Indiana, was named Hauler of the Year. Ella King said that “cow care always comes first” and described the award as recognition of the work involved in caring for the farm and its animals. Horizon Family Brands chief executive Tyler Holm said the company was grateful to the families involved in its farmer partnerships and that the programmes offered another way to recognise and support them.
Horizon said more than one-quarter of its farmer partners had worked with the brand for at least ten years, while 30 had shipped milk to it for more than 20 years. The company also cited figures indicating that nearly 1.3m farmers are at or beyond retirement age and about 300,000 farmers are younger than 35. Horizon said its farmer relationships included investment in agricultural knowledge, practices and farm operators’ wellbeing.
Organic Week will take place from September 14th to 16th in Washington, DC. The event, organised by the Organic Trade Association, brings together participants from across the organic supply chain. Holm is scheduled to join other industry executives for a session titled “Vision and Values Driving the Future of Organic: CEO Roundtable”. Horizon said it had been an active member of the association for more than 25 years.
Farm Aid 2026 is scheduled for September 26th in Virginia Beach. Horizon is sponsoring the annual benefit festival and has invited farmer and hauler partners to attend, meet one another and be recognised. Farm Aid said it had raised more than $90m since 1985 for programmes supporting family farmers, broadening the Good Food Movement and promoting food from family farms. Horizon Organic was founded in 1991 and is a certified B Corp; alongside Maple Hill and Wallaby, it belongs to Horizon Family Brands.
