SYRACUSE, N.Y. – Dairylea Cooperative Inc. hosted its 105th annual meeting in Liverpool, N.Y., Oct. 9.
Northeast dairy industry. Dairylea CEO Greg Wickham described the strong Northeast dairy industry, the yogurt boom and the impact it is having on the area.
The meeting also featured guests who shared about how the dairy industry is doing in other parts of the country and what organizations are doing to promote dairy.
Every year, Dairylea Cooperative honors three member farms with the Pride of Dairylea Award. The Pride of Dairylea program was created to recognize member farms that operate with the quality product in mind.
This year, Dairylea honored Damin Farms; Hepler Homestead Farm; and Brabant Farm.
Distinguished member awards
Dairylea honored members of 50 or more years of membership with the Distinguished Member awards. The Taylor Family of Warriors Mark, Pa.; the Burgin Family of Delhi, N.Y.; Chris Didas of Mt. Morris, N.Y.; and Jon White of Geneseo, N.Y., were this year’s recipients.
Nine member farms were also honored for their achievements in milk quality management this year. These awards are given annually to the top herds producing outstanding raw milk. This year’s recipients were the Houde Family Farm, of St. Johnsbury, Vt.; Alleger Family Farm of Cameron, N.Y.; Henderson Farms, of Schaghitcoke, N.Y.; Galens Homestead Acres, of Clifton Springs, N.Y.; Hepler Homestead Farm LLC, of Pitman, Pa.; Shearing Farms LLC, of Gainesville, N.Y.; Fessenden Dairy LLC, of King Ferry, N.Y.; Broughton Farm Operation, of Silver Springs, N.Y.; and Sparta Farms LP of Danville, N.Y.
Scholarships
Dairylea Cooperative also awarded students pursuing careers in agriculture-related professions. The Clyde E. Rutherford Scholarship was established in honor of the now retired, longtime chairman, Clyde E. Rutherford. This scholarship was given for the first year ever and recognizes one student who excels academically, is pursuing a career in an agriculture-related profession, who has shown great leadership abilities and embodies the spirit of cooperation.
Lauren Hill of Gilbertsville, N.Y., was this year’s recipient.
Dairylea also awards the Dairylea Leadership Scholarships each year. These students exhibit outstanding leadership abilities and foster the spirit of cooperation. This year’s Leadership Scholarship winners are Tyler Hymers of Delhi, N.Y.; Ben Rogers of Springville, N.Y.; and Isaac Haagen of Howard, Pa.
