William B. Siebenborn
Bill Siebenborn and wife Sarah own and operate a 350-acre dairy farm near Trenton in Grundy County. After starting a dairying operation with a 50-cow herd in 1974 they now milk 90 to 100 Holsteins.
In their farming operation Bill and Sarah focus on good soil management and conservation. They have used intensive grazing for the past 10 years in their grass-based dairy operation.
Bill is a proven leader in the Missouri, regional, and national dairy industries. In his early years as a dairyman he became an active participant in Mid-America Dairymen serving in various roles including area director and vice president of the Corporate Board.
In 1996, as a Mid-America Dairymen leader, Bill was instrumental in uniting dairy farmers from four cooperatives to create Dairy Farmers of America effective Jan. 1, 1998.
As a DFA leader Bill serves as vice chair of the Corporate Board of directors and as a board member. In that capacity he is a member of several key board committees including the Executive Committee; Member Public Policy and Government Relations Committee; Election Procedures Committee; and Office Space Committee.
Bill is also a member of the Negotiating Committee for DFA’s new marketing relationship with the producer-members of the National Farmers Organization.
At the area level Bill is a former chair of DFA’s Central Area Council, the governing body for members in North and South Dakota, Nebraska, Kansas, Oklahoma, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Iowa, Missouri, and Illinois.
Bill’s leadership in the dairy industry extends beyond his DFA responsibilities. He was appointed by Secretary of Agriculture Dan Glickman to the National Dairy Board and now serves as vice chair.
In addition Bill serves on the corporate board of Dairy Management, Inc.; is co-vice chair of the corporate board of directors of the Midwest Dairy Association; is on the board of Midland United Dairy Industry; serves on the Missouri and National Milk Boards; and is a member of the Johnes Eradication Committee, Missouri Dairy Association, and the Dairy Council of Greater Kansas City.
Bill’s leadership extends beyond the dairy industry as he is a member of the board of directors of Agriculture Future of America. He also serves on the advisory committee of the KU Medical Center Dairy Nutrition Professorship Chair.
Locally, Bill has served as chair of the Grundy County University Extension Council and is an elder and deacon of the Hodge Presbyterian Church.
During a two-year period from 1969-71, Bill served in the U.S. Army.
Bill and Sarah were married Jan. 28, 1969. Both are college graduates. Bill holds an AA degree from Trenton Junior College granted in 1967; a 1969 BS degree from Missouri Valley College; and attended the University of Missouri in 1973 where he enrolled in agriculture and dairy science courses and worked at the MU dairy farm.
Sarah graduated from the MU School of Journalism in 1970 and also holds an MA degree in journalism granted by Drake University in 1997. She currently teaches at Trenton High School.
The Siebenborns have three children, all graduates of the MU College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources. Ellen graduated in 1997 and now works for General Mills in Minneapolis; Andrew and Katie received their degrees in 2000 and work for Good Humor-Breyers at Sikeston and Quaker Oats in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, respectively.
The Missouri Dairy Association nominated Bill for the Hall of Honors Dairy Leadership Award.