Corey Lutz Honored with Max Gordon Award
Corey Lutz, Lincolnton, N.C., has been named the winner of the 2025 Max Gordon Recognition Award. He was honored at a ceremony held during the National Jersey Jug Futurity on November 9, 2025, in Louisville, Ky.
The Max Gordon Recognition Award is given annually to an exhibitor who possesses the five key elements for which the award’s namesake stood: sportsmanship, ethics, professionalism, ability and promotion of the Jersey cow. Recipients are chosen by a committee of individuals who have previously received the Max Gordon Recognition Award.
In the ceremony to announce Lutz as the award recipient, Master of Ceremonies Neal Smith noted, “He is a man who leads by example, whose steady presence and quiet strength earn the respect of everyone around him.”
Lutz’s peers describe him as genuine and dependable, willing to do whatever it takes to advance the breed.
“He doesn’t ask for recognition; he simply and quietly makes things happen behind the scenes in countless ways,” Smith continued.
Lutz and his wife, Bridgette, and their family operate Piedmont Jersey Farm, a 250-cow Registered Jersey herd enrolled on REAP. The herd has a 2025 production average of 19,430 lbs. milk, 891 lbs. fat and 690 lbs. protein on an actual basis. The herd includes 73 Excellent (all homebred) and 174 Very Good cows and has an average final score of 86.5%. Three cows are Excellent-94%, and another three are Excellent-93%. During the August 2025 appraisal, a dozen first-lactation cows were appraised at 86 points or higher.
Lutz’s family has been milking Jerseys since 1882. He grew up on the farm established by his grandparents and earned an animal science degree from North Carolina State University in 1982. He moved his cattle to his own farm in Lincolnton in 1997.
He was an early adopter of intensive, rotational grazing, a practice that maximizes profits from the region’s lush grass, hilly terrain and long growing season. Lutz has perfected the practice and become a resource for intensive grazers around the world.
Corey and Bridgette’s son, James, returned to the farm in 2012, and when their daughter, Olivia, expressed interest in coming home, the family established Riverbend Creamery, bottling milk with the motto “from our grass to your glass” and churning super premium ice cream from milk produced by the herd. They sold their first goods in August 2021 and today process about 25% of their milk. The balance is sold to Appalachian Dairy Farmers Cooperative. Riverbend Creamery was among the first to offer A2A2 ice cream.
The Lutzes sell 60-100 replacement animals annually through private treaty and consignment sales, including the All American Jersey Sale, the National Heifer Sale, the Dixie Invitational and the North Carolina Pot O’Gold Sale.
The family is a long-time sponsor of All American events and has shown cattle in the open and junior shows for decades. Among the highlights is the 2006 Reserve Junior All American Milking Yearling and Overall Premier Performance Cow, Piedmont Legion Ring. The Lutzes have also exhibited at the North Carolina State Fair for nearly nine decades, beginning with Corey’s father.
The Lutzes were named conservation farm family of the year by the state’s soil and water conservation district in 2001. They hosted the Intercollegiate Dairy Challenge in 2011 and a virtual tour for World Dairy Expo in 2017.
Beyond his own farm, Lutz has given deeply of his time and expertise. He has sat on the board of National All-Jersey Inc. since June 2022 and was recently elected president. He is a former Director of the American Jersey Cattle Association and a long-serving president of the North Carolina Jersey Breeders Association. He also served on several All American planning committees.
Smith summed up Lutz’s character in just a few words: integrity, humility, and a never-ending passion for the Jersey cow.
Previous winners of the Max Gordon Recognition Award include Wayne Stiles, Westminster, Md. (2024); Rob and Lisa Leach, Linwood, Kan. (2023); Michael Heath, Westminster, Md. (2022)*; Ted DeMent, Kenney, Ill. (2021); Donna Greiwe, Sidney, Ohio (2020); Steve Bachelor, Angola, Ind. (2019)*; Kevin Williams, McConnelsville, Ohio (2018); Greg Bourne, Ansonia, Ohio (2017); Roger Riebe, Cumberland, Wis. (2016); Steve White, New Castle, Ind. (2015)*; Jeff and Alta Mae Core, Salvisa, Ky. (2014); Gene “Bambi” Henderson, Manchester, Iowa (2013); Norman Nabholz, West Union, Iowa (2012); George Barlass, Janesville, Wis. (2011)*, Jim VanBuskirk, Mich. (2010)*; Brian Sayles, Ont. (2009); Mike Stiles, Va. (2008); Harry Mykrantz, Ohio (2007)*; Ronnie Rider, Ky. (2006); Chuck Myers, Ohio (2005)*; Charles Luchsinger, N.Y. (2004); and Ron Mosser, Ind. (2003)*. *deceased
