The 2023 Winner in Dairy Production – Entrepreneurship is Alexis Thoma – Blakenberg of the Iowa – Grant FFA. This proficiency is sponsored by Crystal Farms Dairy Company.

Alexis received her first brown swiss because she begged her dad for one after falling in love with their personality. Now, Alexis owns a herd of 100 Brown Swiss, with 70% being born on the family farm. Alexis assists in all aspects of daily care including feeding, cleaning pens, milking cows, monitoring herd health, and treating sickness. In 2019, Alexis was able to gain even further skills, as she started making the breeding decisions, keeping records, and doing registration for her own herd. Additionally, Alexis provides special care to her show cattle by walking, washing, and feeding a special ration to them to ensure that they are ready to be shown.

Alexis’s advisor is Lara Hammerly. 

We would like to recognize the state finalists in Dairy Production Proficiency :

Second: Paige Billig, Marshall

Third: Rebecca Konkel, Big Foot

Fourth: Tanna Luchterhand, Loyal

Fifth: Estella James, Mineral Point

Thoma-Blakenberg will find out this summer if she is selected as one of four national finalists. If selected, Alexis will compete at the National FFA Convention in Indianapolis, Ind., in November.