Marilyn Calvin
Marilyn Calvin of Mount Vernon is a recipient of the Dairy Leadership Award. Marilyn and her husband Kenneth began dairying with 80-acres and five cows. Today, Marilyn operates Thunder Ridge Dairy with son Kenlee and longtime employee Luis Salas. The operation occupies 560-acres which includes 400-acres in corn silage, haylage and hay pasture. The 200, mostly registered, dairy herd utilizes a 160-acre intensive grazing platform and 160 replacement heifers housed onsite to ensure a vibrant future for the herd. The farm has been advancing their genetic base through artificial insemination, the Dairy Herd Improvement Association (DHIA) milk testing for 50-years, and participates in the U.S. Holstein Tristar premiere program. The family was honored as a Missouri State Fair Farm Family in 2002.
Marilyn has been a dedicated leader for the Missouri dairy industry for many years. Her leadership was exhibited locally as a 20-year member of the Lawrence County FSA committee, first as minority advisor and nine years as committee chair. Her service to dairy cooperatives has been most noteworthy, serving both Mid-America Dairymen and Dairy Farmers of America for over 30 years. She was first elected to the Mid-Am Southern Board in 1994, and served as a DFA charter board member and Southeast Area Council member after DFA’s formation in 1998. In 2023, Marilyn testified at USDA AMS FMMO hearing representing DFA southeast dairy producers requesting an increase in milk transportation credits to help alleviate hauling costs. As a result of this hearing, a haul credit is seen today on dairy producers’ milk checks.
Other organization boards Marilyn serves on are Midwest Dairy Association, serving as a charter member and currently the Ozarks Division Board vice chair; and, on the Midland Dairy promotion board for three years. The farm was an active member of the Missouri Dairy Association, being one of the first producer members following its formation in 2020. Marilyn also served as chairman of Advisory Council for MU’s Southwest Center.
Marilyn is a strong supporter of organizations through memberships and active participation including Missouri Holstein Association, MU Extension Women in Dairy, FFA and 4-H. In fact, she was awarded Honorary Chapter Farmer Degrees from Mount Vernon and Sarcoxie. In 2014, Marilyn was inducted into Missouri 4-H Hall of Fame and was the first woman inductee in the Missouri Institute of Cooperatives Hall of Fame. She is also an ALOT Class II alumni where they traveled to South Korea, Hong Kong, China and Japan.
Marilyn’s husband passed away unexpectedly in 2010. She has one three children, Kenda, husband Russell Ogle and their children Bryce, his wife Mikayla; and daughter Lani. She also has two sons: Mark, his wife Laurie; and Kenlee, his wife Sarah and their daughter Faith.