Pennsylvania Dairymen's Association Presents Annual Awards at Dairy Summit
The Pennsylvania Dairymen's Association presented three leadership awards during the awards breakfast at the 2015 Pennsylvania Dairy Summit today in Lancaster, Pa. Timothy Beck, with the Penn State Extension Dairy Team received the Extension Award. The organization also honored Harold Shaulis, Somerset, Pa., as the 2015 Dairy Hall of Fame Award recipient, and Chris Waddell, Townville, Pa., 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.
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.
"The awards are intended to recognize those who have made significant contributions to Pennsylvania's dairy industry," said David Smith, executive director of the Dairymen's Association. "These three recipients have distinguished themselves in their leadership, service and ongoing commitment to dairy in the commonwealth."
The recipient of the Dairy Hall of Fame Award must demonstrate superior management capabilities and provide outstanding leadership qualities within the dairy industry.
For over 40 years, Harold (right) and his wife Carol, and partners have operated a 120 cow dairy in Somerset County. Harold has always been committed to serving and leading local, state, and national dairy and agriculture organizations. His involvement in the local community includes serving as president of the Somerset County Farm Bureau and on the board of the Somerset County Ag Advisory Committee. Harold has served for 24 years on the board of the Pennsylvania Dairy Promotion Program and currently leads this organization as president. His tenure with the Pennsylvania Dairy Promotion board has led to the formation of key partnerships with industry players, such as H.J. Heinz Company Foundation and a local McDonald's franchise group. He also serves on the board of Mid-Atlantic Dairy Association as well as the national dairy promotion group, Dairy Management Inc.
Harold is also an advocate for the dairy industry and serves as a dairy farmer spokesperson with the Mid-Atlantic Dairy Association. He volunteers each year at the Pennsylvania Farm Show "Today's Ag" display and milking parlor, and he has shared the dairy story with civic groups within his community.
The Distinguished Dairy Woman Award is presented annually to a dairy woman who has served the dairy industry. Chris (right), 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 their community about their dairy farm. Yearly, Chris and the Waddell family, can lead over 500 children and adults on a farm tour.Christine has been actively involved in the Crawford County 4-H programs as well as the Dairy Princess program in the county. She serves on the Center for Dairy Excellence Board of Director 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.
Tim is a key 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. "
Tim typically works with more than 100 farms each year in the multi-county area of Cumberland, Franklin, York, and Lancaster, as well as other areas of the state. He was one of the main developers of the PA Dairy Tool, a comprehensive web-based tool for evaluating the bottlenecks on a dairy farm in order to improve profitability. In addition, Tim was instrumental in working with colleagues to develop several drill downs for use with the PA Dairy Tool.
For more information about the leadership awards or the Pennsylvania Dairymen's Association, contact David Smith, executive director, at 717-838-3283.
2.10.2015