Ken Elliott of Marshall, Wisconsin became the 18th recipient of the Honorary Klussendorf Award on Friday, April 30 during the Midwest National Spring Jersey and Red & White Shows held in Jefferson, Wisconsin. Considered the highest recognition bestowed on a dairy cattle showman in the United States, the Honorary Klussendorf Award mirrors the attributes of the Klussendorf Award and is presented in special recognition of a recipient’s involvement in the purebred dairy industry.
For the past two decades, Elliott has served as superintendent of the International Holstein Show at World Dairy Expo and eight years as WDE Assistant Overall Superintendent. Elliott’s tenure as an Expo leader includes working with prominent dairymen such as W. Terry Howard, Bob Kaiser, Jim Crowley Jr., and Dave Bollig.
A 1978 graduate from the University of Guelph and its Ridgetown College, Elliott got his start working for Paperman Farm in nearby Woodstock, Ontario, Canada and then Doug Wingrove’s Allangrove Farm in rural Guelph. Next, the young Canadian headed stateside to California’s Pacific Coast where he worked for Marvin Nunes at Ocean View Farms, Windsor, California. Elliott and his wife, Kathy, eventually moved their young family to their own farm in Wisconsin.
As a farmer and breeder, Elliott excelled in his role as Holstein Superintendent at WDE. His connections with exhibitors spread across North America making him an asset to World Dairy Expo and throughout the stalling process at the annual event.
“Ken Elliott was a master at [stalling cattle and exhibitors],” shares former Expo Red & White Superintendent Bill Langel. “He knows everyone from coast to coast.”
Named in memory of Arthur Klussendorf, the Klussendorf Association first presented its namesake trophy in 1937. Most recently, the award presentation has occurred on the colored shavings at World Dairy Expo each fall. While the Klussendorf Association plans to meet this fall, the 27 living members cast a unanimous vote earlier this month to honor Elliott this spring.
