News Release

Friday, June 17, 2016

CONTACT: Lisa Behnke, Communications Manager, lbehnke@wdexpo.com
                   Jenna Langrehr, Communications Specialist, jlangrehr@wdexpo.com
PHONE:      608-224-6455

World Dairy Expo® Unveils 50th Anniversary Painting at Friends of Expo Picnic

MADISON, WIS. – As the official kick-off to the 50th Anniversary of World Dairy Expo®, a commemorative painting was unveiled on Tuesday, June 14, at the Summer Board Meeting and Friends of Expo Volunteer Picnic, hosted by Vita Plus Corporation. The painting was completed by artist Larry Schultz, of Sunny Beach Farm Studio.

 Schultz was approached four years ago about creating a painting for Expo’s 50th Anniversary. He was able to capture an image that combines all facets of Expo – spanning the five-decade history and showcasing iconic moments, animals and people.

 “We really wanted to include as many elements of Expo as possible,” Schultz said. “The cows, the famous globe – that and the Coliseum itself are almost a lifelong thing. We wanted to also incorporate commercial (elements); we tried to touch everything. Together, we put quite a bit of thought into it. We wanted to show the whole entire experience.”

 Prints can be ordered from the 50th Anniversary page on the World Dairy Expo website at worlddairyexpo.com. Paper prints are available in three sizes, including 8”x10”, 16”x20” and 18”x24”. Additionally, a canvas wrap is available in 16”x11”.

While the focus of the afternoon was the unveiling of the painting, the picnic included other highlights. The Board of Directors held its summer meeting, where two new board members were introduced. Randy Geiger and David Cooper were seated on the board and will represent Lakeshore Federated Dairy Cooperative and National Milk Producers Federation. Geiger owns a herd of Registered Holsteins near Reedsville, Wisconsin with his wife, Rosalie. Cooper serves as the General Manager for FarmFirst Dairy Cooperative based in Madison, Wisconsin. The picnic was attended by a record number of board members and volunteers and featured plant tours of Vita Plus Corporation.

Recognized as the meeting place for the global dairy industry, World Dairy Expo attracts more than 70,000 attendees from over 90 countries to Madison, Wisconsin, each year. The annual event will take place Oct. 4-8, 2016, with the theme of “Celebrate 50!” to commemorate its golden anniversary. Visit worlddairyexpo.com or follow us on Facebook and Twitter (@WDExpo or #Celebrate50) for more information.

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