The Gibson Family of Junction City, Oregon was recognized with the Community Service Award from the Oregon Dairy Farmers Association (ODFA). Amy Peters, recently retired from OSU Extension in Coos and Curry Counties, received the ODFA Distinguished Service Award at the Annual Oregon Dairy Farmers Convention in Salem on February 25.
The Gibson family has been involved in Oregon agriculture for nearly 75 years. Their local community and the industry as a whole, has benefited from their leadership. The Gibson family has made sustainability a priority. They installed the first U.S. low temperature methane digester in 2010, and since then have installed solar panels at their processing plant and at 14 Dari Mart stores. These renewable energy projects have helped the Lochmead operation reduce its carbon footprint by 15% of the average footprint of U.S. milk, while producing electricity for the greater community. They produce 85% of the feed used on their dairy farm and all of their milk is sold within a 35 mile radius.
At Lochmead, their family's passion for local, sustainable living extends beyond the farm and plant and into their community. Together with their 45 Dari Mart stores, they have made contributions to a number of local organizations including the American Cancer Society (Relay for Life), Children's Miracle Network, Food for Lane County, Meals on Wheels, Habitat for Humanity, Serenity Lane, Sacred Heart Riverbend and Birthing Center, and various youth programs over the years. To help ensure a thriving future for agriculture, members of the Gibson family have served on multiple committees and boards: Oregon Dairy Products Commission, Oregon Beef Council, Oregon Dairy Industries, Southern Willamette Valley Ground Water Management Program, Lane County Farm Bureau, Junction City school board and the Chamber of Commerce.
After receiving the ODFA Community Service Award, Buzz Gibson said, "Thanks on behalf of the entire Gibson family, we are pleased to be recognized for our efforts. Our family has made it a priority to be responsible with the environment, to reduce our carbon footprint and to give back to the community."
Amy Peters received the ODFA Distinguished Service Award for her 20 plus years working with Oregon livestock producers on the South Coast and throughout Oregon. Amy has conducted one-on-one trainings and seminars including Liming on Coastal Pastures, Soil Fertility and Management, Proper Milking Procedures, Calf Management, Maximizing Forages, Grazing and more.
Mike Miranda, ODFA board member and dairy producer in Coquille was involved in nominating Amy for the award. Mike said "Amy has always been so helpful, if you ever have a question, she will do her very best for you. It could be about pastures or anything, you always knew that you could ask Amy for help and she was there for you."
In addition to working with dairies, Amy has been a member of the Oregon Cattlemen's Association, Oregon Sheep Growers Association, Coos County Farm Bureau and served on the Oregon State Weed Board. She is active in her community with local sports teams, even going so far as to give rides to kids for practices and games. Amy is always there to lend a hand. ODFA was very pleased to award their Distinguished Service Award to Amy Peters.
3.11.2014