Each year Minnesota Milk recognizes one legislator that demonstrates support to dairy farmers by their actions at the State Capitol.

Putnam awarded Minnesota Milk 2023 Legislator of the Year

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Feb. 28, 2024 Contact: Laura HensleyDirector of communications(517) 652-4524 | lhensley@voiceofmilk.com ST. PAUL, Minn. — Minnesota Milk Producers Association’s Board of Directors congratulated Sen. Aric Putnam, DFL-St. Cloud, on being named 2023 Minnesota Milk Legislator of the Year during a presentation at a dairy farm on Feb. 8. The association will formally…

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Rep. Nathan Nelson Legislator of the Year

Minnesota Milk’s board of directors was proud to bestow our Legislator of theYear award to a former member, former dairy farmer, and influential legislatorRepresentative Nathan Nelson (R-Hinckley). Representative Nelson waselected to office in 2019. While he has only served one term, Minnesota Milk isfortunate that someone with hands-on dairy farming experience remains inthe legislature. Representative…

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Congressman Collin C. Peterson named Minnesota Milk Legislator of the Year

ST. PAUL, Minn. – Minnesota Milk Producers Association named Congressman Collin Peterson (District MN-07), as its 2020 Legislator of the Year. As Congressman and current House Agriculture Committee Chairman, Peterson has been a great dairy and agricultural advocate for 30 years serving the Seventh Congressional District of Minnesota. “He really listens to the concerns that…

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2019 LOY - Melissa Hortman

Representative Melissa Hortman

The Minnesota Milk Producers Association named Speaker of the House Melissa Hortman, Brooklyn Park, as its 2019 Legislator of the Year.

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2018 LOY - Bill Weber

Senator Bill Weber

Senator Bill Weber has long been a champion for rural Minnesota. Hailing from Southwest Minnesota, in Luverne. Weber has long been a champion of farmers.

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2017 LOY - Torrey Westrom

Senator Torrey Westrom

Minnesota Milk’s 2017 Legislator of the Year, Senator Torrey Westrom, was given the honor during Minnesota Milk’s Dairy Conference and Expo November 28, 2017, at Treasure Island Resort and Casino.

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2016 LOY - Lyle Koenen

Representative Lyle Koenen

There aren’t many legislators who have milked a cow for pay, and we don’t believe there is anyone else who has driven a milk truck as an occupation. But, there is one in our friend, Senator Lyle Koenen.

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2015 LOY - Denny McNamara

Representative Denny McNamara

The Minnesota Milk Producers Association (MMPA) has named Representative Denny McNamara (R-Hastings) its 2015 Legislator of the Year for playing a pivotal role for the dairy industry during the recent legislative session. The award was presented during the Minnesota Milk Expo in St. Cloud December 2.

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2014 LOY - Rod Hamilton

State Representative Rod Hamilton

State Representative Rod Hamilton (R-District 22-B: Mountain Lake, Minn.) was named the 2014 Legislator of the Year by Minnesota Milk Producers Association for demonstrating support to dairy farmers, the dairy industry and rural Minnesota by his actions at the State Capitol.

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