Brody Koon receives congratulations from Dairy Judge, Leo Hoff, Jr., as son, Kris Koon
and son-in-law, Brad Holland, look on.

 

 

Koon Jersey Farm Receives Honors From
Texas Jersey Cattle Club & Dairy Festival

 

by: Bobby McDonald

 

Brody Koon with one of his Champion Jerseys, back in the 1940's.....the family has grown considerably
at Koon Jersey Farm.

 

 

Almost all of the Brody and Mary Koon family were present to watch as Koon Jersey Farm was awarded
The Pioneer Award by the Texas Jersey Cattle Club and a Scholarship was presented in their honor at
Saturday's Northeast Texas Dairy Show.

 

"I can't think of any one family that has devoted so much time, energy, and effort into the dairy industry in Hopkins County," denoted Lynda Hager, longtime member of the Hopkins County Dairy Festival Board, as she presented a $500.00 Scholarship in honor of Koon Jersey Farm. "Brody and Mary have raised their family in the dairy industry, showing cattle all over the nation, serving on boards and directing the work of breed organizations, and then their children have served as presidents and board members of the Hopkins County Dairy Festival, their daughters and daughters-in-law have competed in the Dairy Festival Pageant, and I believe almost every one of their grandchildren have been involved in the pageant. They've faithfully shown cattle at almost every Northeast Texas Dairy Show and provided the cows for the milking contest, every year since its inception, back in the 1980's. The family truly represents what the dairy industry in Hopkins County is all about!"

 

 

 

It was on Saturday, during a break, following the Jersey Show, that Brody and Mary Koon, and their now large family, were asked to make their way to the showring and presented with the Pioneer Award, by the Texas Jersey Cattle Club, for their efforts in promoting and working with the Jersey breed of cattle, throughout the state and nation. And, the Hopkins County Dairy Festival Board awarded a $500.00 Scholarship to the owner of the Grand Champion Jersey Cow. Ironically, four of the cows in the Championship drive were bred by Koon Jesey Farm, and grandson, Chase Koon showed the Reserve Champion Animal of the Jersey Show.

 

Lynda Hager, representing the Hopkins County Dairy Festival Board, presents a $500.00 scholarship to
Breanna Bowen, exhibitor of the Grand Champion Jersey Cow, a cow bred by Koon Jersey Farm.

 

Grandson of Brody and Mary Koon, Chase and Cade Koon, lead cows in the Championship Drive, owned
by Koon Jersey Farm. They received Reserve Grand Champion honors, in the show.

"It's been a lifetime of labor and love," expressed Brody Koon, as he described his involvement in the dairy industry. "We certainly had no idea of the journey that these cows that we owe our livelihood to would take us on, back in the 1930's, when Dad and I began in the dairy industry. We've shown them all over the world, hauled their milk, ground the feed they ate, produced the hay and forage they consume, and they've taken care of us, all through the years. We're working on the fifth generation of the family, now!"

 

 

 

Sons, Randy and Kris Koon are still actively milking registered Jersey cows and daughters, Jana and Karmon have been involved with their husbands in the dairy industry, as well.

 

Brody and Mary Koon are surrounded by their four children and spouses, as
they are presented the Pioneer Award by the Texas Jersey Cattle Club.

 

 

"It's rewarding to be involved in a business that you can work with your children and watch things grow!" expressed Brody Koon. "I wouldn't change a thing!"

 

"What do you think the future holds?"......And, it's the fifth generation of the Koon family,

that holds the future to Jersey cows, baling hay,
and looking toward the local dairy industry moving forward.

 

 

 

Congratulations, Brody, Mary and Family!!!!

____