For Immediate Release
June 2016
Contact: National Dairy Shrine
Email:
TEKIPPE NAMED NATIONAL DAIRY SHRINE 2016 GRADUATE PRODUCTION AWARDEE
Iowa native, Jessica Tekippe, is the National Dairy Shrine’s Graduate Production Award winner. The $2,500 Grant sponsored by Elanco—designed to recognize and encourage college graduates within the past nine years to pursue careers in commercial dairying and to gain ownership of dairy cattle with the intent of growing the size of their dairy herd—will be presented to Tekippe at the annual National Dairy Shrine Awards Banquet on October 6th in Madison, Wis.
Graduating from Iowa State University a year early, Tekippe demonstrated a strong work ethic and motivation. Her energy and ambition can be seen throughout her undergraduate, graduate, career, community and now dairy farm management experiences.
While an undergraduate Tekippe served as the president of the American Dairy Science Association from 2007-2008. As a member of the ISU dairy judging team, she competed at several national contests and was on the winning teams at the Accelerated Genetics Intercollegiate Dairy Judging contest and earned All American honors at the National Intercollegiate contest held at World Dairy Expo. She also competed in two regional dairy challenge competitions.
Tekippe further broadened her horizons on a study abroad trip to New Zealand where she learned about the country’s dairy industry including different management styles such as grazing and robotic milking. As a finalist for the American FFA Star in Agriculture Production Award, she was given the opportunity to travel to Costa Rica and visit several dairy farms.
After graduating from ISU, Tekippe moved to Pennsylvania and began studying for her Master’s degree where she focused on research of lactating cow diets and essential oils. She completed her Master’s in 2010 and started employment with Arm and Hammer Animal Nutrition. Today, Tekippe is the Director of Ruminant Nutrition for Ajinomoto Heartland.
In addition to her career in nutrition, Tekippe and her husband manage an 80-cow Holstein herd. Through a number of progressive management adjustments, the herd has seen drastic improvements in production, health, and reproduction.
While maintaining her career and managing a dairy farm Tekippe is also committed to the dairy community. She volunteers with Iowa 4-H Dairy Judging and Dairy Quiz Bowl. In addition, she serves as an industry advisor for the ISU Dairy Science Club. Tekippe also judges country dairy shows and served on the National Milk Producers Federation Young Cooperators Board. Last fall, Tekippe was appointed by the U.S. Secretary of Agriculture to serve on the National Dairy Research and Promotion Board.
The annual National Dairy Shrine Awards Banquet will be held in Madison, Wisconsin, on Thursday October 6th. For more information about the individuals or students being recognized by National Dairy Shrine or tickets for the Awards Banquet, contact the NDS office at . Additional information on National Dairy Shrine membership or other activities is also available at www.dairyshrine.org. Dairy enthusiasts are encouraged to become a part of the most important dairy organization helping to inspire future dairy leaders, honor current dairy leaders, preserve dairy history, and promote the dairy industry.
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Pictures of honorees are available upon request at .