HARRISBURG, Pa. — The Pennsylvania Dairymen’s Association presented three leadership awards during the awards breakfast at the 2015 Pennsylvania Dairy Summit in Lancaster.
Timothy Beck, with the Penn State Extension Dairy Team, received the Extension award. The organization also honored Harold Shaulis, Somerset, as the 2015 Dairy Hall of Fame award recipient, and Chris Waddell, Townville, as the 2014 Distinguished Dairy Woman recipient.
Both Waddell and Shaulis will be recognized in a Dairy Hall of Fame established within the Pennsylvania Farm Show Complex.
Dairy food promotion
The Dairymen’s Association was initially formed in 1871 to promote the general welfare of the dairy foods industry in Pennsylvania. The organization has been presenting industry leadership awards for more than 50 years.
The Dairy Hall of Fame Award was previously known as the Cowan Memorial Award, introduced in 1976, and the Distinguished Dairy Woman’s Award was established in 1995. The Extension award was introduced in 1962.
“These three recipients have distinguished themselves in their leadership, service and ongoing commitment to dairy in the commonwealth.,” said David Smith, executive director of the Dairymen’s Association.
Hall of fame
The recipient of the Dairy Hall of Fame Award must demonstrate superior management capabilities and provide outstanding leadership qualities within the dairy industry. For more than 40 years, Shaulis and his wife, Carol, and partners have operated a 120-cow dairy in Somerset County.
The Distinguished Dairy Woman Award is presented annually to a dairy woman who has served the dairy industry. Waddell, her husband Rob, and son Josh, operate Apple Shamrock Farms, an 800-cow dairy in Crawford County.
This “Dairy of Distinction” farm is intentional in efforts to teach its community about their dairy farm.
Yearly, Chris and the Waddell family lead more than 500 children and adults on a farm tour. Waddell has been actively involved in the Crawford County 4-H programs as well as the cairy princess program in the county.
She serves on the Center for Dairy Excellence board and is the vice chairperson of the AgChoice Farm Credit board of directors.
Timothy Beck received this year’s Extension award. He is an Extension educator specializing in Agricultural Business Management. In his current role, he provides education in the areas of dairy profitability and farm business management planning and analysis.
Beck is a member of the Penn State Extension Dairy Team, providing curriculum development, delivery and support for a number of important programs including Know Your Numbers: Strategies to Improve Cash Flow and Know Your Numbers: Cropping & Nutritional Strategies to Improve Cash Flow.
For more information about the leadership awards or the Pennsylvania Dairymen’s Association, contact David Smith, executive director, at 717-838-3283.
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