For her years of dedication to the Guernsey cow, Martha Turley of Orient, Ohio was this year's recipient of the American Guernsey Association's Distinguished Service Award. The award is given annually to honor individuals who have made a difference for the Guernsey breed. The award was presented as a part of the National Guernsey Convention and 139th Annual Meeting in Walnut Creek, Ohio on June 18.
The AGA Distinguished Service Recipient was Martha Turley of Orient, Ohio. Pictured is Martha with her husband Ralph and the 2014 National Guernsey Queen Robin Kime and National Guernsey Princess Laura Jensen.
Although Turley grew up with Ayrshire cattle, when she married her husband Ralph, manager of the Raemelton Dairy in Mansfield, Ohio, she made the switch. She retired from teaching in 1986 and made her focus serving and promoting the Guernsey breed. After the dispersal of the Raemelton Dairy, Ralph and Martha formed Mar Ral Guernseys, which is now in partnership with Verl Weaver, Villa Crest Guernseys, of Indiana. Mar Ral Guernseys have contributed many outstanding cattle to the breed, including bulls such as Mar Ral Royal Mentor and Villa Crest Monarch.
Turley's own contributions to the breed are numerous. One of the most notable is serving as the secretary and treasurer for the Ohio Guernsey Breeders Association (OGBA) for 28 years. Five years ago, she suffered a serious stroke while attending a Guernsey sale in Pennsylvania. This was but a minor setback, as she made an excellent recovery and has been able to resume nearly all of her duties for the OGBA. Turley has also served the American Guernsey Association by managing the National Futurity from 1999-2010 and helping out in other various ways.
The award was presented by Aaron Crosser, a former 4-H lessee of the Turleys' cattle. Crosser pointed out how encouraging the couple is to youth interested in Guernseys, as they still lease cattle today. "Matha has supported Guernsey youth in countless ways," said Crosser, which includes "chauffeuring them to Conventions and shows, raising money for youth scholarships, and providing animals for 4-H projects."
The American Guernsey Association is based in Columbus, Ohio and is dedicated to the advancement and promotion of Guernsey dairy cows and products.
6.26.2015