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Cool Lawn Farm
Bealeton, VA
The best speeches are often told from the heart. For Ben Smith, a fifth-generation dairy farmer from Bealeton, VA, that approach is what makes him a compelling voice for both dairy farmers and consumers alike. “I stick to things that are in my heart, and that I feel strongly about, because that’s what I’m able to speak to.”
Smith was named the 2026 Farmer Communicator of the Year in NMPF’s annual communications contest for his advocacy across agricultural media, industry events and educational opportunities, helping consumers, policymakers and farmers understand modern dairy production.
Both the nomination and the award came as welcome surprises to a farmer who sees advocacy not as an extra responsibility, but as part of the job. “It’s part of this career choice and this business that we promote,” he said. “We get out there, we get active, and we support each other and try to do the best job we can.”
That sense of responsibility is rooted in Smith’s family farm. Cool Lawn Farm was established in Maryland in 1948 and relocated to Virginia in 1970, where it continues to thrive. A proud member of Maola Local Dairies for more than 50 years, the farm today milks approximately 1,000 cows in a 50-stall rotary parlor and farms more than 2,500 acres.
Smith recently assumed responsibility for daily operations from his father, Ken, carrying Cool Lawn Farm into its next generation of leadership. The two continue to work closely, with a shared commitment to caring for the land, the herd and the farm’s future.
Smith is quick to credit the people around him for the opportunity to represent dairy beyond the farm gate. “I’m fortunate, that we’ve got a really good crew of guys here at the farm that allow us, whether it be myself or other family members, to get off the farm and do things that I think are beneficial to the whole dairy community,” he said. “You just can’t do this alone.”
For Smith, talking about his farm and the issues shaping the industry has always felt as natural as farming itself. “I just never felt like it was work. I always felt like it was my duty, and if somebody called and asked if I could be at an event, or speak, or promote, I felt like that’s what you’re supposed to do.”
That willingness to show up has become central to his approach as an advocate, even when a speaking engagement feels daunting. Smith’s motto is simple: “Always start with yes, even if you’re not crazy about the idea, don’t shoot it down instantly. Start with yes and then work your way backwards.”
The same mindset applies on the farm. “Sometimes we bite off more than we can chew, we say yes, and then we learn how to chew, or we figure it out.”
Saying yes paid off when Smith received an opportunity he had long imagined but never expected. Smith was invited to speak at the 2022 Milk Business Conference in Las Vegas, NV as part of a young producers panel hosted by NMPF’s National Young Cooperators (YC) Program.
“When I was younger, I always thought it would be fun to attend the conference one day, you know, maybe in my 40s or 50s, maybe after you ‘make it’ as a dairyman,” he recounted.
Smith not only spoke at the conference; the following year, he was named the Milk Business Conference Young Dairy Producer of the Year. “I just had no idea I was capable of something like that, or that people would think enough about me to do that.”
He’s also had some training along the way. “The YC Program, Young Dairy Leader Institute and the Dairy Alliance have had done a good job with media training, and how to speak on different topics.”
Even as his advocacy work has grown, Smith remains most eager to talk about what he calls “the nuts and bolts of dairy farming.” His message is grounded in practical experience and a belief that sharing what happens on farms can help the industry move forward. “What happens here on the farm to move the needle forward? That’s what motivates me the most.”
And the most important part is understanding your audience.
“I’ve adjusted my vocabulary based on the people on the hayride that day,” he says of farm tours he’s conducted for his community. “I try to pay attention to body language and put it into perspective. When we’re talking about a calf barn, I refer to it as middle school. That type of thing.”
Smith may not have set out to become a communicator by trade, but he believes every dairy farmer can help tell the industry’s story. “You don’t have to be a great speaker,” he said. “I think if you can portray your heart and your soul, into what you’re talking about, I think the audience can usually pick up on what’s authentic and what’s not.”
For Smith, effective communication also begins with listening—to fellow farmers, industry partners and anyone willing to share a lesson. “Whether you go to a farm show, a meeting, or you pop in at somebody’s farm, they might not be on stage, but you might hear them telling you something they went through,” he said.
Smith is a reminder that dairy advocacy does not always require a podium or a polished speech. Sometimes it starts with an honest conversation, a willingness to listen and the courage to speak from experience. “I believe everybody’s got something to teach and offer,” Smith said. “I’ve been so grateful to be around other people in this industry that have inspired me. I hope I can do the same.”
