DBA Community Outreach Award

The Community Outreach Award was established to recognize farmers or others in the dairy industry who invest their time and talents into building trusted relationships with their neighbors and the broader community. It recognizes those who are helping us carry out our mission of connecting with our communities to lead dairy forward.      

Recipients are those who have gone above and beyond in their efforts to support local initiatives, engage in transparent and open communication with neighbors and contribute positively to the community's well-being.   

The Community Outreach Award is a testament to individuals’ or families’ role as a pillar of the community — exemplifying leadership, responsibility and a deep-seated commitment to their community. 

Sponsored by:

2024 Community Outreach Award: Duane Ducat | Deer Run Dairy

“I’m honored to accept this award, and thank you to all of you,” Ducat said. “I’m very passionate about what we’re doing on our farm in terms of sustainability and using best management practices, but it doesn’t happen without the team. The Peninsula Pride Farms group has been fantastic to work with and work for, and it’s all of us coming together that’s making a difference in our sustainability work.” 

Ducat farms in Kewaunee, Wis., with partners Derek Ducat and Dale Bogart. Their farm prioritizes sustainability for the benefit of their community, the farm and future generations to come. 

As a founding member and the current president of Peninsula Pride Farms, a farmer-led watershed conservation group in northeastern Wis., Ducat is passionate about improving the environment and protecting natural resources. He’s also an active member of Farmers for Sustainable Food and participates in various data-driven sustainability projects. 

At Deer Run Dairy, they utilize numerous sustainable practices, such as cover cropping and no-tillage. They also installed an anaerobic digester in 2011, which produces natural gas to power hundreds of local homes. The manure solids created from the digestion process are used for bedding for their cows. The farm is on the leading edge of implementing various conservation practices and serves as mentors for others who are interested in learning. 

Deer Run Dairy is a frequent host of farm tours for anyone from local community members to government officials. Ducat enjoys connecting with others and sharing his love of agriculture with those who are eager to learn.

Award qualifications:

Past Winners

2023 – Doug Grotegut (Grotegut Dairy Farm, Inc.)