Turlock farmer Charles “Chuck” Ahlem has recently been recognized as the 2015 Agriculturist of the Year by the California Exposition and State Fair Board of Directors on Feb. 27.

Ahlem’s awards for this year do not end there. The dairy farmer was also the recipient of the 2015 Innovative Dairy Farmer of the Year for his emphasis on animal care and well-being at Hilmar Jerseys, a 6,000-cow dairy operation in Hilmar.

Ahlem owns the dairy and works alongside his son, Mark Ahlem.

“IDFA and Dairy Today selected Hilmar Jerseys because of its dedicated focus on animal care, which the owners call ‘stockmanship,’” IDFA President and CEO Connie Tipton said in January. “At a time when animal care is gaining headlines and sound bites, we thought it was important to honor and highlight a dairy farm that is doing all the right things and spreading the knowledge to the broader dairy community.”

Ahlem meets all of the requirements of leadership skills in an Agriculture industry. Not only does he know what it takes to be an agriculturist, he also is well-known in the dairy industry.

Ahlem holds various positions in the dairy world. He is the owner of Charles Ahlem Ranch in Turlock, a partner in several other ranches and a founding member of the Hilmar Cheese Company (the global processor and supplier of cheese, whey protein and lactose).

Ahlem is also a California Dairy Council board member, a member of the California Milk Manufacturing Board and is an advisory member of the California Animal Health and Food Safety Board.

As if his list was not long enough, Ahlem has also served as Undersecretary of the California Department of Food and Agriculture under Arnold Schwarzenegger’s term as governor.

It seems that the 2015 Agriculturist of the Year has earned his title beyond measure.