Gov. Jay Nixon visited Rogersville Wednesday to recognize Randy Mooney, who owns M&M Dairy LLC, with the Governor’s Award for Agricultural Achievement. The award honors outstanding farmers, growers and processors in a variety of agriculture commodities.

M&M Dairy is an innovator in Missouri grass-based dairy systems, adopting their pasture management system in 1992. M&M Dairy’s rotational grazing process maximizes forage use by intensively managing plant growth and grazing time. Over the past two decades, M&M Dairy has grown from 125 to 250 milking cows while improving pasture, soil and water quality.

In addition to operating his dairy, Mooney is also the Chairman of the Board of Dairy Farmers of America (DFA), Chairman of the National Milk Producers Federation and serves on boards of several dairy organizations including the Missouri State Milk Board.

“Agriculture has always been, and will always be, the heart of Missouri’s economy and operations like M&M Dairy are the reason why,” Gov. Nixon said. “Missouri farmers feed a hungry world, and they help strengthen America’s energy independence. Farmers also create jobs and support our economy. The farmers, ranchers and producers of Missouri are moving our state forward through innovation and conservation, breaking new ground and creating new opportunities for our future.”

Listen for next weeks Missouri Corn Update on 680 KFEQ to hear from Mooney.