KISSIMMEE, Fla. – The National Dairy Promotion and Research Board (NDB) honored Arkansas dairy farmer Ryan Anglin and longtime dairy promotion executive Tom Jenkinson as the 2026 recipients of the Richard E. Lyng Award for their contributions and distinguished service to dairy promotion.
The award is named for former U.S. Department of Agriculture Secretary Richard E. Lyng, who played a critical role in implementing policies that led to the establishment of NDB in 1983. It honors leaders who have made significant contributions to dairy promotion that benefit the entire industry.
Anglin and Jenkinson were recognized during the Joint NDB/National Milk Producers Federation/United Dairy Industry Association Annual Meeting, held Oct. 19-21 in Kissimmee, Fla.
“Ryan and Tom have devoted much of their lives to strengthening dairy promotion and helping our industry move forward,” said Lolly Lesher, a Pennsylvania dairy farmer who serves as chair of NDB. “They brought different perspectives to the checkoff, but both understood the importance of working together to grow demand for dairy. Their leadership, commitment and willingness to serve have made a lasting difference for dairy farmers across the country.”
Ryan Anglin
Anglin’s commitment to dairy promotion began at the local level, where he provided ice cream and cheese samples at the Benton County Fair long before becoming involved in formal dairy promotion organizations.
He began serving on the Midland Dairy Association board in 1982 and continued his involvement as the organization transitioned to Midwest Dairy Association in the 1990s. He held many leadership positions on Midwest Dairy’s division and corporate boards and remained active on the Midwest Dairy Ozarks Division board through 2022.
Anglin served two terms on NDB (2006-12 and 2014-20), including a term as chair from 2011 to 2012. He also served as first vice chair of United Dairy Industry Association (UDIA) in 2013 and continued as a UDIA board member through 2021.
During his checkoff service, Anglin – given his farm’s proximity to Walmart’s headquarters – hosted employees for tours to help them better understand dairy production and the farmers behind the products sold in their stores. Although retired from farming, Anglin continues to promote dairy through a coffee shop that opened on his family’s farm in 2023.
Tom Jenkinson
Jenkinson dedicated more than four decades to promotion, helping develop programs and strengthen relationships among state, regional and national dairy organizations.
His career began in 1967 with Samco, where he worked with dairy promotion organizations in the Pacific Northwest before moving to Texas to support promotion efforts for Associated Milk Producers Inc.
In 1971, Jenkinson joined the California Milk Advisory Board, where he helped develop early marketing efforts, including work on California’s Real Seal program. He later became the organization’s director of merchandising.
Jenkinson went on to lead the Western Dairy Farmers Promotion Association to advance local and national promotion programs. From 1994 to 1996, he chaired a management group that helped develop a national plan for greater coordination with NDB and Dairy Management Inc. (DMI).
Jenkinson concluded his career as executive senior vice president of dairy image and relations at DMI, serving as a liaison with the California Milk Advisory Board and Dairy Farmers of America to collaborate with the national checkoff. He retired in 2015.
As part of the Richard E. Lyng Award, NDB will contribute $2,500 in each recipient’s name to an organization of their choice.
To learn more about your national dairy checkoff, visit DairyCheckoff.com or to reach us directly, send an email.
Comments