DUBOIS, Pa. — The Pennsylvania Young Farmers Association held its 51st annual winter conference in DuBois, Feb. 8-10, recognizing the achievements of outstanding members.
Nearly 125 members participated, attending educational seminars and touring local businesses. The event was hosted by the newly re-activated Brockway Chapter of Young Farmers.
Recognitions included
• Outstanding Young Farmer, Over 30: Ed and Tina Wilkinson, Gettysburg Young Farmers;
• Outstanding Young Farmer, Under 30: Jeffrey and Megan Ruth, Kutztown Young Farmers;
• Spokesperson for Agriculture: Caleb Wright, FFA representative to the PYFA Board;
• Honorary Young Farmer: Cliff Day, State FFA Facilitator and member of the PYFA Advisory Group;
• 2010 Richard Hoppes Memorial Award : Ed and Debbie Zug, Solanco Young Farmers;
• Outstanding Young Farmer Adviser: Doyle Paul, Berlin Brothersvalley Young Farmers;
• Outstanding Chapter: Lewisburg Young Farmer Chapter: Robert Pardoe, Jr., advisor;
• Host Chapter Award: Brockway Young Farmers
Ed and Tina Wilkinson, Adams County, received the Outstanding Young Farmer, Over 30 award
They operate Getty Acres Farm in partnership with Ed’s father and brother. They farm over 4,000 acres with multiple enterprises. Dairying is the cornerstone of Getty Acres, with 250 dairy cows segregated into production groups, with the top two groups being milked three times daily.
Jeffrey and Megan Ruth received the Outstanding Young Farmer Under 30 awardThey operate Quarry View Farm in Berks County where Jeffrey Ruth, 29, has lived his whole life and began helping his grandfather, Asher Green, when Ruth was 5. Jeffrey farms a total of 280 acres, 99 of which is owned. They grow corn, soybeans, wheat and hay, all used for a cash crop.
Ed and Debbie Zug received the 2011 Richard Hoppes Memorial Award
This award is presented in memory of Richard Hoppes, who dedicated his life to young farmers. Ed is treasurer of PYFA and Debbie is Membership Chair, and they are active members of Solanco Young Farmers and life members of PYFA. They operate a dairy farm at Peach Bottom with their son Brian.
Doyle Paul, Berlin Brothersvalley, was named Outstanding Young Farmer Adviser
He is honored for his contributions to agricultural education in western Pennsylvania. After teaching agricultural education at Berlin Brothers Valley School District for 36 years, he retired, but continues to serve as Young Farmer Adviser. Doyle also serves as Penn State’s representative to the PYFA board.
Clifford Day was selected as Honorary Young Farmer
He is honored for encouraging leadership in the next generation of farmers, a goal shared with PYFA. Retired after 32 years of teaching at Garden Spot High School in Lancaster County, Day serves as state FFA Facilitator within the Department of Education and is a member of the PYFA Advisory Group.
Lewisburg Young Farmer Chapter was named the Outstanding Chapter
They were named in recognition of their educational activities. Robert Pardoe Jr., the adviser for 29 years, was named Outstanding PYFA Advisor for 2009.
A highlight of the conference each year is the Spokesperson for Agriculture event where contestants visit a local supermarket and interact with shoppers in a “media blitz” to help them understand the role of agriculture in providing the food they purchase.
For more information about the Pennsylvania Young Farmers Association, visit www.payoungfarmers.com.
