LINN — Alfred Brandt, a sixth-generation dairy farmer from Osage County, has been named the recipient of the 2025 Dairy Leadership Award in recognition of his long-standing commitment to agriculture, industry leadership, and community service.

Brandt operated Brandt Dairy, a family farm in continuous operation from 1840 until it closed in 2024. He graduated from Linn R-2 in 1985 and earned a bachelor’s degree from Lincoln University in Jefferson City in 1989.

In 2011, Brandt and his wife, Sonya, purchased the farm from his parents. The operation includes 240 owned acres and an additional 400 acres rented for pasture and row crops.

Brandt milked 130 registered Holsteins for more than 30 years before selling the herd in 2024. Under his leadership, Swan-Creek Holsteins earned numerous honors through Holstein USA, including repeated recognition in the Progressive Breeders Registry and Progressive Genetics Awards. Brandt also bred or developed more than 40 excellent-rated cows.

In 2019, Brandt Dairy was recognized as a Member of Distinction by Dairy Farmers of America (DFA). Brandt has served as District Chairman for DFA, along with service on the organization’s Resolutions and Corporate Resolutions Committees.

He also served on the board of directors for Midwest Dairy, representing Missouri and Kansas in matters related to dairy checkoff funding, and completed a term on the Cattlemen’s Beef Board representing dairy farmers. He currently serves as Executive Director of Missouri Dairy and the Missouri Dairy Growth Council.

Brandt was named Missouri’s Outstanding Young Farmer in 2000 and has remained active in industry leadership throughout his career. He is a past president of the Missouri Holstein Association and currently serves on the Holstein USA board of directors.

He participated in the Young Dairy Leaders Institute from 1999–2000 and was a member of the Missouri Agricultural Leadership of Tomorrow (ALOT) Class IX from 2000–2002.

In 2009, Brandt was appointed to the Missouri Milk Board by Gov. Jay Nixon and later served as chairman, from 2012–2024. He is also active in Farm Bureau and previously served on the Dairy Resolutions Committee.

In addition to his agricultural leadership, Brandt has remained deeply involved in community service. He and his family are members of St. George Catholic Church in Linn, where he has served on the Parish Council and chaired the Parish Fall Festival.

He also served on the Linn R-2 School Board from 2003–2009, including four years as president, and is a member of the Linn Lions Club, serving two terms as president.

Alfred and his wife, Sonya, have been married for 18 years. She serves as an Associate Circuit Judge for the 20th Judicial Circuit. They have one son, Sam, who attends St. George.