Maola Local Dairies® Member Named Farmer Communicator of the Year

Maola Local Dairies^® (Maola) member Ben Smith, owner of Cool Lawn Farm in Remington, Virginia, was recognized as the 2026 Farmer Communicator of the Year by the National Milk Producers Federation (NMPF) during the National Dairy Promotion and Research Board (NDB), NMPF, and United Dairy Industry Association (UDIA) Joint Annual Meeting Awards Banquet on October 20 in Kissimmee, Florida.

Smith, a fifth-generation dairy farmer and member-owner of Maola, earned the national recognition for his efforts to share the story of modern dairy farming with consumers, policymakers, fellow farmers, and industry leaders. Through agricultural media interviews, sustainability forums, educational outreach, and industry leadership opportunities, Smith has served as a trusted voice for dairy farmers and the broader dairy community.

“Ben is an outstanding advocate for dairy farmers and an excellent representative of our cooperative,” said Lindsay Reames, Executive Vice President of Growth & Brand for Maola. “Whether he is discussing cow care, sustainability, farm succession, or the realities of daily life on the farm, Ben communicates with authenticity and credibility. He helps build understanding and trust in dairy farming while demonstrating the dedication and innovation that define our member farms.”

Over the past year, Smith has been featured in agricultural and consumer-focused media discussing topics including dairy cow health, milk quality, farm

succession, sustainability, and modern dairy production. He also participated in national dairy sustainability discussions, providing a farmer perspective on how environmental stewardship and economic realities intersect on today’s dairy farms.

Maola was also honored in the NMPF Communications Awards competition. Additional awards included:

• 2nd Place – Annual Report: Make Your Maola Mark
• 2nd Place – Profile Feature: Six Weeks
• 2nd Place – Marketing Campaign: Farmer in the Fridge

Maola Local Dairies® is a farmer-owned cooperative committed to its local farm families and to producing high-quality, nutritious dairy products. Founded in 1920, Maola processes and delivers your favorite milk, cream, and dairy products to families, schools, and communities while investing in quality, innovation, and sustainability across its farms and supply chain. Learn more at www.maolamilk.com.