Dairy Girl Network (DGN) announces opening of nominations for the DGN Forward Under 40 award, sponsored by Lely, and the DGN Leading Impact award. Online nominations are now open and due August 31, 2026. Award winners will be honored at the Forward TogetHER National Conference from October 27 – 29, 2026 in Lexington, Kentucky.
The DGN Forward Under 40 award, sponsored by Lely, recognizes four passionate dairywomen working to better the dairy industry today. The DGN Leading Impact award honors a distinguished dairywoman with involvement and leadership achievements positively impacting the dairy industry.
Nominees for both awards can be a dairy farmer, industry representative, educator and/or have multiple dairy related roles. The ideal candidate will have contributed success towards dairy farming, is a leader within the agricultural industry and their community and be paving the way for future generations.
“Every day, women across the dairy industry are leading with passion, resilience and vision, states Rebecca Pfeffer, DGN President. “The DGN Awards give us an opportunity to pause, celebrate these remarkable achievements and elevate the voices shaping the future of dairy farming. I encourage everyone to nominate an incredible leader who inspires our community.”
Nominations will be evaluated by an outside panel of anonymous industry professionals and dairy farmers. Nominators will be notified in September. The nominee must be able to attend the Forward TogetHER National Conference from October 27 – 29, 2026 in Lexington, Kentucky. More information about the awards and nomination forms are available on DairyGirlNetwork.com.
Nominations will close on Thursday, August 31, 2026, at midnight CST. Anyone can nominate a deserving dairywoman for recognition of her achievements. Self-nominations will not be accepted. All nominees should be an official member of the Dairy Girl Network. If they receive DGN emails, they are a member. If not a member, or if they need to register – It is quick, easy and free at DairyGirlNetwork.com/Join.
Dairy Girl Network partners with organizations valuing personal and professional development for dairywomen. DGN national partners supporting all women in dairy by enhancing lives and creating opportunities are Alltech, Dairy Management, Inc., Cargill, Dairy Farmers of America, Diamond V, Farm Credit Systems (AgCountry Farm Credit Services, American AgCredit, Compeer Financial, Farm Credit Services of America, GreenStone Farm Credit Services, AgWest Farm Credit),Michael Best, Lallemand, The National Dairy FARM Program and Sealpro Silage Barrier Films. Event sponsorships for the Forward TogetHER National Conference are available. If your company is interested in sponsoring to help the event be even more of a success, contact [email protected]. Visit DairyGirlNetwork.com to view an event agenda and register for Forward TogetHER.