Arlen H. Schwinke, Morrison, Missouri

The recipient of the 1984 AMDO Dairy Leadership Award is Arlen Schwinke.

Arlen is a well-known dairy farmer and one of the most active and capable farm leaders in Missouri. He and his family operate about 800 acres of land near Morrison (Osage County) Missouri. A milking herd of 85 registered and grade Holsteins is maintained and most of the feed for the herd is produced on the farm.

He was born in 1930. His family are long established dairy farmers. Some 30 years ago the Schwinke family, parents and relatives, helped charter the Osage County Farm Bureau. Arlen graduated from Hermann, MO High School in 1948. That fall he enrolled in the University of Missouri on a 4-H Scholarship. His college work was interrupted from 1950-52 when he served in the U.S. Army. The fall of 1952 he resumed his studies at the University of Missouri and graduated in 1954 with a B.S. in Agriculture. From 1954-56 Arlen worked as the Youth Agent in Carroll County for the Agriculture Extension Service. He then served 1955-60 as the County Agent in Wright County. In 1960 he returned to the farm as owner-operator of the present Schwinke Grade A Dairy Farm.

Few persons have been more active than Arlen in working with organizations that serve agriculture. He served on the Board of Directors of the Square Deal Milk Producers Association, 1965- 68; Board of the St. Louis-Ozarks Marketing Association, 1967-68; Board of Directors of the Mid­America Dairymen, St. Louis Division, 1968-72; Board of Directors – Missouri Mastitis Council, 1969-72 and as President 1970-72; Member – Farm Bureau State Dairy Committee, 1966-72; and Member or Chairman, of the State Milk Board in 1972 to 83.

At present, in addition to serving as Treasurer of Mid-America Dairymen, Inc., he is president of the Association of Missouri Dairy Organizations, State Board of Directors – Missouri Farm Bureau Federation, and a member of the Dairy Advisory Council, University of Missouri College of Agriculture. Early in 1983 he was elected President of the National Mastitis Council. He is, at present, Chairman of the Organizing Committee to develop a program to support and advance dairying in Missouri.

Arlen and his wife have four children. The children are active in 4-H Club and junior dairy programs. One son, Keith Edward, is now a junior in the College of Agriculture UMC. The Schwinke family is active in local community, school and church programs.