MOUNTAIN VIEW COUNTY — A Mountain View County dairy farmer has received a prestigious award.
John Iversen of the Innislake Dairy Farm, near Olds, has been presented with the Marj Atkins Achievement Award.
The award was bestowed upon him during the Southern Alberta Holstein Christmas Party and Awards Banquet on Dec. 6.
The award goes to a person who has been a pioneer in the industry, paving a road for others, and who possesses characteristics to strive for.
This Alberta Holstein special achievement award also includes breed involvement.
It’s not awarded annually but rather on a deserving basis by special committee.
The Marj Atkins Achievement Award is just one of many awards the Innislake Dairy Farm has received over the decades.
In 2006 it received the prestigious Master Breeder award.
“John Iversen’s passion for cows, and his early commitment to artificial insemination, classification, and milk recording has been a big part of this,” a news release regarding the award says.
“John Iversen has been a true leader in the Holstein Industry for Holstein Canada, Alberta Holstein Association, and for the local Southern Alberta Holstein Club,” the release adds.
Iversen’s parents, Aage and Kristine Iversen, started farming at the current location in 1968.
In 1977, a new milking parlor and freestall barn were built. The following year, the farm became a member of Holstein Canada under the Serevi prefix.
John and his brother Eric became part of the family farm in 1983. At this time, Innislake Dairy Farm was formed under the Innislake prefix. Both John and his brother Eric worked for Western Breeders at an early age.
Innislake Dairy Farm has been recognized for the following achievements over the years:
• Winner of the Calgary Stampede Farm Family Award in 1999,
• 2001 Alberta Holstein Association Breeder of the Year,
• Winner of the prestigious Master Breeder Shield in 2006,
• 2007 Distinguished Farm Family Award from the Olds Agricultural Society.
Following is a look at John’s involvement as a leader in the holstein industry and local community:
• National director for Alberta from 2000-2010,
• Holstein Canada president in 2007,
• Past-president of the Southern Alberta Holstein Club,
• Past-president of the local 4-H dairy =club,
• Director of the Calgary Stampede Dairy Committee,
• Past-president of the Olds Sportsmans Association,
• Past-president of the Olds Snowmobile Club,
• Past-president of the Olds Car Club,
• Currently a director of the Olds Golf Club.
The awards are “truly deserved with John’s lifelong involvement and commitment to the Holstein breed,” the release says.
The release also congratulates Iversen for his “commitment and leadership to the holstein industry and local community.”
