Milk presenters for Indy 500 announced

INDIANAPOLIS — For the 20th year in a row, American Dairy Association Indiana Inc. will have a veteran and rookie farmer present milk to the winner of the Indianapolis 500.

Veteran Ashley Stockwell and Rookie Brian Rexing will offer skim, whole or chocolate milk to the champion of the auto race.

“It’s an incredible honor to serve as the veteran milk presenter this year and have the chance to experience the greatest spectacle in racing in this unique way for the second year in a row,” Stockwell said.

“Continuing this tradition is an incredible honor, especially during the Year of the Woman Farmer.”

Veteran

Stockwell grew up in a farming family and married into the dairy family community. Stockwell and her husband’s family are the third generation running Stockwell Farms in Hudson in northeastern Indiana.

Surrounded by 1,100 acres of farmland and 750 cows, they produce milk for healthy, protein-packed breakfast foods to start the day strong. Their four kids keep them busy on and off the farm.

Rookie

Rexing grew up on his family’s dairy farm, where early mornings milking cows sparked a lifelong passion for dairy farming.

In 2008, he and his wife, Ranell, founded New Generation Dairy in Owensville in southwestern Indiana, not far from where he was raised.

The fourth-generation farm milks nearly 1,200 primarily Holstein cows and farms 3,500 acres.

When off the farm, Rexing is busy with his four kids and is a member of the Dairy Farmers of America cooperative and was recently elected chairman of the National Milk Producers Federation.

“We’re proud to have Ashley and Brian represent Indiana dairy farmers this year,” said Brooke Williams, director of communications at ADAI. “Their presence on this iconic stage reflects the dedication, leadership and hard work of Indiana dairy farm families.”

The 110th running of the Indianapolis 500 will be May 24.