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EAU CLAIRE, Wis. - Longtime dairy advocate Karyn (Nelson) Schauf received the 25th annual Aggie Award, presented at the 51st annual Eau Claire Farm Show Tuesday morning. Schauf's recognition is the first time a woman alone has been selected to receive the award, although husband/wife teams have been honored in the past.
The award recognizes significant contributions to the agricultural industry in west central Wisconsin, as well as community service. The Aggie Award has been presented annually since 1989.
Steve Henry, of the family-owned North Country Enterprises that runs the Eau Claire show, noted that Schauf's selection was a great choice.
"Karyn is all for others. It's not for her, but always for others," he said. "Karyn is committed to others in her community and her church."
Schauf, of Barron, Wis., is passionate about agriculture. It's a role she's taken seriously all her life. From being Alice in Dairyland, to working with the ADA of Wisconsin, and finally as a dairy farm owner with her husband Robert, Karyn has spoken up for agriculture.
"I'm an encourager. I have a passion for agriculture and its future. I encourage everybody-at some point in their lives-to step up and participate. We can't afford to be silent," she said.
The Schaufs milk 80 Holsteins near Barron, Wis. Established in 1981, Indianhead Holsteins markets Holstein genetics worldwide.
Bob and Karyn raised four sons on the farm. They have also had many other young people on the farm-more than a hundred trainees stayed with them from a few months to two years.
The Schaufs have invited the public to their farm in the fall for tours in recent years.
Karyn remains active in many farm and community organizations. She is president of the Barron County Farm Bureau and served on the executive committee for the 2013 Wisconsin Farm Technology Days. She was named 2013 Dairy Woman of the Year and honored at last year's World Dairy Expo in Madison.
Schauf just completed two terms as chairman of a local pregnancy health center, teaches Sunday school and assists with music at her church, and completed two terms on the foundation board for the University of Wisconsin Barron County Campus Foundation.
Bob and Karyn make a great team, complementing each other in what they do.
"He enables me to go and do the things I do. He supports me in my work," Karyn said.
The Eau Claire Farm Show, held at Eau Claire's Indoor Sports Center, is considered the "Granddaddy" of Farm Shows and is the second longest running farm show in Wisconsin.
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