Tom Oelrichs, of Mora, was appointed to the State Milk Board by Republican Governor Mike Parson on Wednesday.

Mr. Oelrichs is currently a partner with O-Rich Dairy, a dairy farm his family owns and operates. He has worked on the family farm since 1980.

He serves as a member of his milk cooperative, Dairy Farmers of America, and has served in various community organizations in the Cole Camp area, including the local Fire Department Board, School Board, and ambulance district.

Oelrichs was the recipient of the Dairy Leadership Award in 2022.

Oelrichs is a fourth-generation dairyman currently producing Grade A milk on the 1,200-acre O-Rich Dairy Holstein farm in Mora. The 245-acre “home place” is designated a Century Farm, having been purchased by Oelrichs’ great-grandparents in 1903. He farms with his brother Randy and nephew Russ. They take pride in maintaining profitability through on-farm sustainability initiatives.

Managing the dairy and cropping enterprises in a complementary approach allows the resources to be maximized. Oelrichs exhibits leadership in all roles he embodies, nominators said.

He was pivotal in the creation of Missouri Dairy, providing a strong leadership presence as board chairman in 2020-2021, and served as treasurer. He has also served on several Dairy Farmers of America committees and represented Missouri as a member of the Midwest Dairy Promotion Board.

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