SUNNYSIDE, Wash. -- Skyridge Farms, a Sunnyside dairy owned by Dan DeGroot, is the only Washington dairy nominated this year for a national award from the Innovation Center for U.S. Dairy in Washington, D.C.

Skyridge was nominated for Outstanding Dairy Farm Sustainability and is among 30 nominees in four categories. Awards will be given in April.

Skyridge was chosen for many innovations including a stationary feed mixer and computerized, temperature-initiated cow-cooling systems. The computer system also controls variable frequency drive motors for well pumps, milk pumps and vacuum pumps. Energy savings ranges from 25 to 60 percent, according to DeGroot.

-- Dan Wheat