Horizon Organic Celebrates Farmers Shaping the Future of Organic Dairy
Building on its longstanding investment in farmer partnerships, Horizon Organic is announcing 2026 HOPE Award and Scholarship recipients, along with Farm Aid and Organic Week Sponsorships
BROOMFIELD, Colo., Sept. 14, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Horizon Organic, a pioneer in organic dairy and the largest USDA-certified organic dairy brand1, today announced its 2026 Horizon Organic Producer Education (HOPE) Scholarship and HOPE Award recipients. The brand is also sponsoring Farm Aid 2026 and the Organic Trade Association's annual Organic Week. Together, these programs and events support the future of organic farming and celebrate Horizon's farmer partners.
For Horizon, investing in the future of farming means investing in the people and practices that exemplify the best of organic farming. With nearly 1.3 million farmers at or beyond retirement age and just 300,000 farmers under the age of 352, these investments are especially critical to the future of U.S. agriculture. With more than 500 farmer partners across the country, Horizon is committed to building strong one-on-one farmer relationships, and investing in the people, knowledge and practices that help farms thrive for generations to come. This commitment to farmer support, growth and wellbeing is evident in the longevity of Horizon's farmer partnerships. More than one-quarter of Horizon's farmer partners have worked with the brand for at least a decade, with 30 farmers having shipped milk to the brand for more than 20 years.
"We are deeply grateful for the impressive and inspiring families behind our more than 500 farmer partnerships, and we know that when farmers succeed, it helps the entire food system succeed as well," said Tyler Holm, CEO of Horizon Family Brands. "Our farmers bring incredible expertise, dedication and care to the work they do daily. Their commitment is a tremendous source of motivation, pride and appreciation. From the HOPE Scholarships and Awards to Farm Aid and Organic Week, these programs give us an additional opportunity to recognize, support and invest in the people who are shaping the future of organic dairy farming."
HOPE Scholarships
Established in 2007, the annual HOPE Scholarship program helps build the next generation of organic dairy farm leaders by awarding scholarships to young people from Horizon farm families who are pursuing careers in organic or sustainable agriculture and/or large-animal veterinary science.
Over the past 19 years, the HOPE Scholarship program has awarded 114 scholarships totaling more than $300,000 to the children, grandchildren and young relatives of Horizon farmer partners. This year's HOPE Scholarship recipients are:
- Macey Dahl (Pavilion, N.Y.), Cottonwood Farms LLC
- Evan Frescura (Latrobe, Pa.), Frescura Farm
- Justus Visser (Stanwood, Wash.), Natural Milk Too
- Rachel Hatch (Freedom, N.Y.), Emary Springs Farm
"Being awarded this scholarship for a second year in a row means more to me than I can fully express," said Macey Dahl, HOPE Scholarship recipient. "It affirms that my hard work is recognized and gives me the confidence, stability and time to stay focused on becoming a skilled veterinary technician who can make a real difference in the lives of animals and the people who care for them."
HOPE Awards
The annual HOPE Award recipients exemplify the potential to create positive change on their farms and in their communities, while serving as models for the broader organic farming community. The 2026 recipients are:
- Farmer Legacy Award: Jerry Clapper (Laceyville, Pa.), Clapper Farms
- Farm Partner of the Year Award: Don & Debbie Moreda and Stephanie Moreda-Arend (Petaluma, Calif.), Moreda Valley Dairy
- Young Farmer Award: Lucas Waugerman (Manns Choice, Pa.), Fair Family Farms, LLC
- Nature Award: Aaron Schmid (Trout Lake, Wash.), Mountain Meadow Dairy
- Social Award: Jonathan & Ella King (Rushsylvania, Ohio), King Dairy
- Innovative/Pioneering Award: Benuel S. Beiler (Cochranville, Pa.), Benuel S. Beiler Dairy
- Hauler of the Year Award: Moo Juice Express (Berne, Ind.)
"At the heart of it all is our love for cows," said Ella King, HOPE Social Award Winner. "Cow care always comes first. Receiving this award is such a meaningful recognition of the work we put into caring for our cows and our farm every day. There is a lot of hard work that goes into building a farm we can be proud of and, hopefully, one that can continue for generations to come."
Industry Support and Commitments
In addition to supporting its farmer partners and their families, Horizon is proud to sponsor and participate in two important events this month, including:
- Organic Week: Held September 14–16 in Washington, D.C., Organic Week is the Organic Trade Association's premier gathering of stakeholders from across the organic supply chain. Horizon has been an active member of the organization for more than 25 years, and at this year's event, Horizon Family Brands CEO Tyler Holm will join organic-sector leaders for the "Vision and Values Driving the Future of Organic: CEO Roundtable" to discuss the challenges and opportunities shaping the future of organic.
- Farm Aid 2026: Horizon is proud to sponsor Farm Aid's annual benefit festival, taking place September 26 in Virginia Beach, in celebration of the family farmers at the heart of our food system. As part of its longstanding partnership with Farm Aid, Horizon has invited farmer and hauler partners to attend the festival, connect with one another and be recognized for their vital contributions to their communities.
Horizon knows it has a responsibility to support the people, practices and natural resources that make our food system possible. As a certified B Corp, Horizon is committed to using business as a force for good. True to its roots, Horizon and its farmer partners continue to look for ways to do things differently and raise the bar for organic dairy every day. You can learn more about Horizon's farmers HERE.
Along with Maple Hill and Wallaby, Horizon Organic is part of Horizon Family Brands, a family of high-quality organic food brands committed to well-being, innovation, and positive impact. Horizon Family Brands is on a mission to inspire to inspire healthier living through purposeful wellness brands.
About Horizon Organic
Founded in 1991, two generations of families—and counting—have grown up on Horizon Organic® milk. From the start, as the leading organic milk producer in the U.S., Horizon Organic has been committed to delivering innovative, nourishing dairy that growing families can rely on. As a certified B Corp, Horizon Organic works with more than 500 farmers across the U.S. to bring high-quality, certified organic milk to consumers. For more information on Horizon Organic's full portfolio of organic dairy products, visit horizon.com.
About Horizon Family Brands
Horizon Family Brands is a family of high-quality organic food brands, including Horizon Organic, Maple Hill and Wallaby Organic yogurt that is committed to well-being, innovation, and positive impact. These three legacy brands have helped shape the organic movement and have also nourished families for decades. The mission of Horizon Family Brands is to inspire healthier living through purposeful wellness brands. For more information about Horizon Family Brands, please visit horizonfamilybrands.com.
About Farm Aid
Farm Aid's mission is to build a vibrant, family farm-centered system of agriculture in America. Farm Aid artists and board members Willie Nelson, Neil Young, John Mellencamp, Dave Matthews, Margo Price and Nathaniel Rateliff host an annual festival to raise funds to support Farm Aid's work with family farmers and to inspire people to choose family farm food. Since 1985, Farm Aid, with the support of the artists who contribute their performances each year, has raised more than $90 million to support programs that help farmers thrive, expand the reach of the Good Food Movement, take action to change the dominant system of industrial agriculture and promote food from family farms.
1 Source: Circana OmniMarket Core Outlets, 52 Weeks Ending January 2025
2https://www.utahfarmbureau.org/Article/New-Census-Shows-Alarming-Loss-of-Family-Farms
MEDIA CONTACT
Emily Rado, SchroderHaus
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SOURCE Horizon Organic
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