Throughout 2016, Balchem Corporation has celebrated and honored the American dairy industry – past, present and future. And now Balchem has announced the Real Faces of Dairy essay winners.

As part of the Real Faces of Dairy campaign, children and adults were encouraged to tell their dairy story through the Real Faces of Dairy website and Facebook page. Each entry answered these questions; What does dairy mean to you? How has the dairy industry impacted your life? The finalists were announced mid-summer, and the public voted on the Real Faces of Dairy Facebook page for their favorite essay.

Adults:
First Place: Lisa Ruble – Waterford, OH
Second Place: David Alexander – Conneaut Lake, PA
Third Place: Ashley Eckard-Maule – West Grove, PA
Fourth Place: Annah Nigon – Spencer, WI

15-18 Years
First Place: Derrek Hardy – Browning, MO
Second Place: Sarah Lehner – Delaware, OH
Third Place: Peyton Bond – Stockton, NJ

11-14 Years
First Place: Emily Makos – Juda, WI
Second Place: Lily Charapata – Coleman, WI
Third Place: Clarissa Ulness – Valders, WI
Fourth Place: Brock Strassburg – Bowler, WI

6-10 Years
First Place: Whitney Ulness – Valders, WI
Second Place: Abbie Ainslie – West Winfield, NY
Third Place: Brady Strassburg – Bowler, WI