Mike Veeman, President-Elect, Veeman & Sons Dairy
The Colorado Livestock Association has a rich and deep history that needs to continue to be shared with future generations of agriculture producers. It is critical to the future of the industry to continue the generational transfer of stories about where we came from and how we got here so that our children and our children’s children can develop an understanding of the work that CLA has done on behalf of livestock producers. As an Association we have worn many hats over the years and have fought many battles. Without this diverse coalition of livestock producers our industry would not be where it is today and would not have the bright future that I believe we have.
The livestock industry and the world is changing more rapidly than ever before. The overwhelming amount of challenges our industry faces on a daily basis can change in a blink of an eye and new issues are always on the horizon. As an Association we have been evolving to better handle these issues and it is imperative that we remain flexible to adapt to our changing environment. During my term in leadership I hope to focus on the area of issues management with an emphasis on building new relationships.
As a dairy producer I am focused on my cows, my employees and the business, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Like all of my peers in the livestock industry, I do not have the time or resources to dedicate to representing my own interests in the regulatory and legislative arenas. The work CLA does on behalf of livestock agriculture is vital to my farm and to preserving it for future generations.
As a fifth generation dairyman, Mike Veeman brings the knowledge and experience of a lifetime of animal husbandry to Colorado Livestock Association as the new President-Elect. Mike began his career in California on his family’s dairy farm, which relocated to Colorado in the early 1980’s. Alongside his father Andy and his brother Derek, he has worked to expand the family’s partnership ever since. Veeman & Sons Dairy is located in Wiggins, Colorado. The family also maintains a ranch outside of Sterling, Colorado, which is home to both farming and heifer operations.
Beyond his title of “dairyman”, Mike is also a passionate family man. He shares his life with Cindy, his wife of 35 years. They have three children including two married daughters and a son who has returned to the farm to carry the family’s business into the sixth generation. Mike is also a proud Papa to four grandchildren. He will serve as President-Elect until the Annual Membership Meeting in April 2018 where he will move into the role as President.
