Corey Geiger has been named the National Dairy Shrine’s 2024 Guest of Honor. This award recognizes an exemplary dairy leader for his or her
accomplishments and contributions to the dairy industry. Of all the annual Dairy Shrine awards, the Guest of Honor symbolizes the highest level of recognition.
Honoring dairy leaders is a core element of the National Dairy Shrine mission, and Geiger becomes the 82nd person to be awarded as the National Dairy Shrine Guest of Honor. The organization is in the process of celebrating its 75 th anniversary this year.
While Geiger has achieved tremendous success over the course of his lifelong dedication to the dairy industry, he’s most recognized for work done during his 28-year tenure with Hoard’s Dairyman – work which spanned far beyond his editorial career obligations. He becomes the fifth former editor to receive Guest of Honor recognition.
Geiger’s career at Hoard’s Dairyman began nine months before his college graduation from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. He proceeded to work his way up from Associate Editor, through the ranks to Managing Editor, where he focused his efforts on dairy policy, milk marketing, tax and financial planning, cost of production, crops and soils, employee relations, breeding and genetics. His work with the magazine took him to 48 states and 12 foreign countries, and he was instrumental in the launch of publication’s fourth language edition, Hoard’s Dairyman China.
During this time, he served as President of Holstein Association USA, the Wisconsin Holstein Association, and National Dairy Shrine. He also was active in dairy judging contests at both the 4-H and collegiate levels, World Dairy Expo, and the Farm Wisconsin Discovery Center. Geiger also worked closely with the UW-Madison College of Agricultural and Life Sciences (CALS) on various boards and as a Badger Dairy Camp instructor. In 2023, CALS awarded him with their highest honor, the Honorary Recognition Award.
Geiger has also authored two books, which have had copies sold in all 50 states. His first book earned him a spot as a finalist for the 2022 National Indie Excellence Award.
Sarah Thomas, Product Support Analyst at Select Sires Inc. and previous Hoard’s Dairyman editorial intern, nominated Geiger for the Guest of Honor award. “It would be quite near impossible to find someone more enthusiastic and genuine about the dairy cow, dairy farmers and the greater dairy industry than Corey Geiger,” she says. “He appreciates, recognizes and highlights the history of our industry with ease, all while being part of the push forward to ensure that it succeeds for years to come.”
Geiger is currently the lead dairy economist at CoBank, where he provides insight and analysis on elements of the dairy sector, ranging from milk production to consumer products. He also participates in research and analyses for customers, industry professionals and national media outlets.
Geiger will receive the Guest of Honor award at National Dairy Shrine’s Awards Banquet on Monday, September 30 th in Madison, Wisconsin. His portrait will then be displayed in National Dairy Shrine’s Dairy Hall of Fame and Museum in Fort Atkinson, Wisconsin.
For more information about National Dairy Shrine and this year’s award winners, please contact National Dairy Shrine at [email protected] or visit their website at www.dairyshrine.org.