Tomaszewski earns Dairy Challenge Founder Award
Longtime dairy education leader recognized by North American Intercollegiate Dairy Challenge
Michael Tomaszewski, Ph.D., Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service specialist emeritus and visiting professor in the Department of Animal Science, was honored as a 2026 Dairy Challenge Founder Award recipient for his contributions to the program in its early years.
The North American Intercollegiate Dairy Challenge, NAIDC, recognized the new Founder Award winners at the National Contest Awards Banquet in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, on April 14.
NAIDC is an educational event for students in dairy programs at North American colleges, universities and vocational schools. Its mission is to develop tomorrow’s dairy leaders and enhance the progress of the dairy industry.
Over its 23-year history, Dairy Challenge has benefited from the countless hours contributed to establishing and growing the event to what it is today. The Dairy Challenge Founders Award, established in 2016, honors individuals who have made extraordinary, sustained contributions or provided distinguished service to the organization.
Dedication to the next generation
Tomaszewski was recognized for his lifelong contributions to the Dairy Challenge program since its inception. He served on the original planning committee that established the parameters of the contest.
“Following the success of the national program, efforts were made to expand by creating regional competitions,” he said. “I was actively involved in establishing the Western Regional contest, which now serves as a ‘feeder’ program for the national competition.”
Tomaszewski said he is proud the program has experienced significant growth, expanding from 14 universities in its first year to 36 today.
Each team has four participants who visit a working dairy operation to gain firsthand insight into its management and performance. Teams review the farm’s financial records, engage directly with the owner or operator through a question-and-answer session, and develop a comprehensive presentation for a panel of judges. Evaluation is based on the team’s ability to identify strengths and weaknesses within the operation and to provide practical, well-supported recommendations for improvement.
The first competition was held at Michigan State University in 2002, with Texas A&M University fielding a team of four students. Since that time, the Texas A&M Dairy Challenge team has competed in every contest except one, earning three first-place finishes and two second-place finishes, Tomaszewski said.
The latest first place was at this year’s National Dairy Challenge Contest by the Texas A&M team of Estrella Farias, Elizabeth Haugen, Dieter Ally and Rendyn Lamance.
Advancing dairy education
Before retiring in 2007, Tomaszewski served the dairy industry in multiple roles for both AgriLife Extension and Texas A&M AgriLife Research as a dairy specialist, as well as professor in the department. Since then, he has contributed as a visiting professor and emeritus specialist.
He is a co-founder of and has served as the academic coordinator for the U.S. Dairy Education and Training Consortium, a nationally recognized six-week program held annually in Clovis, New Mexico. The program is widely regarded as a model for preparing students for leadership roles in large-herd dairy operations.
Tomaszewski has also been recognized with several awards and honors, including the recent American Dairy Science Association Southern Section Honor Award in recognition of his lifelong contributions to dairy science, technology and education, the Innovation Center for U.S. Dairy’s Sustainability Award for Outstanding Achievement in Community Partnerships, the American Dairy Science Association award for Outstanding Teaching of Dairy Science and the Western Dairy Business Educator/Researcher of the Year.
