30 minute read
Making a Difference in the Dairy Industry
Inspirational and Impactful. Two words heard repeatedly as 31 Jersey youth from 15 states headed out the doors of the American Jersey Cattle Association in midJuly upon completion of Class VII of Jersey Youth Academy. The group completed a weeklong journey discovering careers within the Jersey and dairy industries July 11-16, 2021, in Ohio.
“Inspirational and extremely informational, are the two words I would use to describe my Jersey Youth Academy experience,” said class member Sophia Larson, Reedsburg, Wis. “I have a pretty strong dairy background, but I learned so much this week. It was worth the time to come here and means a lot to be able to have this opportunity. We all should be beyond grateful for this program and having the chance to be a part of it.”
During the week, Class VII was introduced to representatives of key support agencies and allied industry. Corey Geiger, editor of Hoard’s Dairyman , challenged the group to “Make a Dif-
Corey Geiger ference.” Charlie Garrison of The Garrison Group talked about his dairy roots and how he chose to be a lobbyist in Washington D.C. on behalf of the agricultural industry. The group visited five diverse Jersey dairies and learned about robotic milking systems, on-farm processing, a cheese plant, strategies for genotyping, agri-tourism, hands on workshops for Linear Type Appraisal and JerseyTags, and were part of a history making announcement for Select Sires.
With full involvement of the Ohio-based staff of the American Jersey Cattle As-
During the tour to Select Sires the class of Jersey Youth Academy was presented with commemorative semen straws with “Jersey Youth Academy 2021” printed on them. The group of 31 students were the first to tour the new distribution facility being built. Showing off their straws were Keenan Thygesen, Ali Bowman, Elizabeth Hyman, Grace Stroud, Mia Berry, Jessica Hewitt and Jack Zina.
sociation (AJCA) and National All-Jersey Inc. (NAJ), plus the presidents of both organizations and a roster of diverse farming operations and guest speakers, Jersey Youth Academy delivered a comprehensive survey of the Jersey business today, how Jerseys fit the dairy business of tomorrow, and the opportunities for participants to direct their Jersey enthusiasm and personal abilities to advance the Jersey business of the future.
The participants included rising seniors in high school through college juniors. They were selected from a national pool of applicants based on merit, motivation and preparation for the program as reflected in their experiences, accomplishments and goal statements.
Set in motion more than a decade ago, the Academy aims—to attract, educate and retain talented young people for careers in the Jersey dairy business—informed a program highlighted by a multitude of presentations, farm visits, hands-on workshops, face-toface conversations with industry experts and fellowship with peers. “From the day I found out I was accepted throughout the entire trip and even coming back home to Pennsylvania, I was eager,” said Laura Caruso. “I was eager in the beginning for the learning possibilities and eager when I got home to put everything I learned to work.”
“Not only is this an incredible program to learn more about the breed, but I was able to take advantage of this opportunity with like-minded people that have the same passions,” stated Grace Stroud, Canadea, N.Y. “I want to impact the Jersey breed as much as it has impacted me. I am looking forward to applying genomic testing tools in my herd to help the breed association gain information to advance my herd and the breed as a whole.”
The Program As the program opened on Sunday evening on the campus of Ohio Dominican University, Executive Secretary Neal Smith welcomed the group and gave a brief overview of the Jersey breed and history, before talking to them about the class expectations and plans for the week. The group was then
The 31 class members of Jersey Youth Academy VII are pictured on the front cover of this issue. Pictured front row, from left: Emily Rook, Evan Cooper, Jack Zina, Von Herron, Barry Nadon, Tyler Seals, Keenan Thygesen and Alison Graves. Middle row, from left: Hartley Silva, Nicole Arrowsmith, Elizabeth Hyman, Ali Bowman, Mia Berry, Addie Raber, Kylie Konyn, Gabby Rockwell, Grace Stroud, Jessica Hewitt, Sophie Larson, Laura Caruso and Miriam Cook. Back row from left: Jacqueline Mudd, Emma Vos, Aspen Silva, Summer Schepper, Rachel Anderson, Morgan Osborn-Wotthlie, Madelynn Hoffman, Gracie Krahn, Kaitlyn Poitras, and Maleah Sickinger.
treated to a first in Jersey Youth Academy history—international presentations by Jersey breeders from Australia, Canada, Costa Rica, Jersey Isle and South Africa. The countries submitted videos showcasing geography, philosophies, the Jersey cow and other demographics from within their countries.
Early the next day, the class convened in a classroom setting for a morning of learning more about Jersey pedigrees, genomics, identification and how the tools of the AJCA could be applied to decisions they make in the dairy industry.
Evan Cooper, New Braintree, Mass., stated, “The genomic discussions we had opened my eyes to the many ways that genomics can be utilized. Before Jersey Youth Academy, I didn’t pay a lot of attention to the science. Now, I realized there is money to be made by utilizing this tool in any size herd.”
As the class absorbed their lessons from the morning, they took a trip to Waterman Dairy on Ohio State University’s campus. During their time at the dairy, Rebekah Meller, dairy manager and nutritionist, gave a tour of the dairy and talked about upcoming plans for adding robots to the
During a tour stop at Albright Jerseys LLC, owner Fred Albright shared the history of the dairy with the group. He discussed the logic behind many of the decisions made to bring the next generation into the dairy and keep it sustainable for years to come.
Each year Jersey Youth Academy culminates with a tour stop to Young’s Jersey Dairy. The agri-tourism stop is among the favorites in Ohio. Owner Stuart Young talked with the class about their story and diversification beginning in the 1950s with their Jersey herd.
Summer Schepper breaks down one of the young cows at Ohio State University using the Type Traits Appraisal data from USJersey. Senior appraiser Ron Mosser led the discussion and worked with the class to understand the traits used to determine a final score.
dairy in the heart of Columbus, Ohio.
Ron Mosser, Senior Type Traits Evaluator for the American Jersey Cattle Association, along with appraisers Danielle Brown, Sydney Endres and Greg Lavan, gave an in-depth session on the AJCA Type Traits Evaluation system.
David McEhlaney, of AllFlex, talked to the youth about identification and the many tools offered with using eartags, from tissue sampling to heat detection. “I learned the most during our linear appraisal activity and during the pedigree presentation,” said Madelynn Hoffman, Manheim, Pa. “I did not realize how many traits an appraiser evaluates in less than a minute. Also, the pedigrees have so much information that is typically overlooked. I used to look just at scores, type and the physical appearance of the animal. Now I examine JUI and wellness traits more heavily.”
On Tuesday, the class visited Albright Jerseys LLC, Willard, Ohio, and talked with experts about IVF procedures, nutrition in a robotic herd, and ag lending. In the afternoon, the group visited Clover Patch Dairy, Millersburg, Ohio, and talked with Alan and Sharon Kozak about their intensive grazing herd. The couple talked about calf nutrition and gave a JerseyMate presentation to show how Alan manages the matings in his 400-plus cow herd.
Kaitlyn Hinds, Associate Manager, Brand Experience and Education at Certified Angus Beef (CAB), joined the group and talked about the history of the CAB program and how important branding is to building a product.
“Albright Jerseys was the most impactful stop for me,” said Von Herron, Salem, Ohio. “They have a similar set up to what I want to see on our family farm. I could tell they have thought about every detail and where they want to go with it. I enjoyed going around the different stations and learning about different aspects of the farm.”
“I took home several things to apply, but the new calf feeding standards and nutritional facts for both cows and calves I have used the most,” said Jessica Hewitt.
“The visits to the Ohio State University dairy and Albright Jerseys were the most impactful to me,” said Madelynn Hoffman. “These two farms are currently navigating the financial waters and have made some executive decisions such as culling and installing robots to make ends meet. I think it is admirable these farms are adapting in a time many are leaving the business.”
On Wednesday, milk marketing was the featured topic as Erick Metzger, General Manager of National All-Jersey Inc., presented to the group. After his presentation he introduced Charlie Garrison, president of The Garrison Group and NAJ lobbyist in Washington D.C., to talk about his dairy background and policy in D.C.
“We had the opportunity to be in the audience during Charlie Garrison’s presentation,” said Gracie Krahn, Albany, Ore. “Although he clicked through more than 20 slides, what impacted me most was the discussion on obtaining a proper work force. There is no question in my mind that dairy farmers across the country are suffering through a labor shortage, however I did not grasp the details as to why. Through Charlie’s presentation we were able to take a deep dive into the legal ramifications of securing a workforce as well as the specifics that dairy farmers must provide for their employees. “
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Corey Geiger of Hoard’s Dairyman then took the stage and talked to the class about the importance of being selfless and having a servant heart. He paid tribute to the many people that have shaped his career in the dairy industry with his inspirational and motivating words to the class.
“Corey said in his presentation, ‘See the glass as half full, not half empty,” said Mia Berry, Sherwood, Ore. “Live with a more positive mindset, find other servant leaders in your life who have been challenging you. Find the different perspective. These are words that all of us can use. I am getting ready to start college and I know I will face some failure. We need to learn from that and not be hung up on the negative.”
Visits that afternoon were to Pearl Valley Cheese in Fresno, Ohio, and then the evening was capped off by a ‘Sunset Safari” at the Wilds in Cumberland, Ohio.
Thursday was a day to remember for the Class with their visit to Select Sires, Inc., Plain City, Ohio. While at the A.I. facility, it was announced that River Valley CeCe Chrome-ET had just become the highest selling Jersey bull in Select Sires history. The class was a part of the promotional release from Select Sires and had their photo taken with the legendary sire. In addition, the group was the first to tour the new distribution center being built on the Select Sires campus. Many of the Select Sires staff shared the role their department plays in the process of matings, making semen, selling, and marketing each unit produced.
The class then made their way to the agritourism and on-farm processing stops of the week—Woodruff Jersey Farm and Young’s Jersey Dairy.
“Being from California, it is in your head that you need to be as big as you can for success,” said Aspen Silva, Modesto, Calif. “Coming here and seeing the smaller dairies owning their own plants, making milk, making cheese and doing what they love is eye-opening to see that you can do what you want in smaller markets.”
“For me, Woodruff Dairy and Processing facility was unforgettable,” said Miriam Cook, Pewamo, Mich. “Their processing facility was breathtaking and on the cusp of groundbreaking entrepreneurial steps with some of the best chocolate milk I have had the chance to enjoy! The farm was full of high-quality cattle, but the family made it a complete picture. With his many business ventures, Todd Woodruff lives up to his philosophy, ‘If you aren’t living on the edge then you are taking up too much space.’”
The evening concluded with the annual mock auction. Teams worked together to form strategies and buy smart. In the end, three teams created a syndicate and purchased the majority of the animals (under market value) to earn bragging rights.
A tour of the AJCA offices in Reynoldsburg, was the last stop for Class VII of Jersey Youth Academy before heading home on Friday. Stations around the office allowed the class to interact with USJersey staff and learn more about the programs that are offered. They had hands-on demonstrations with the online tools offered by USJersey and many went away with a better understanding of the association’s core program—REAP.
“I learned this week the many aspects of REAP that the Oklahoma State University herd isn’t utilizing,” said Ali Bowman, Glencoe, Okla. “I am definitely going to be discussing BullsEye, genomics, and HerdView when I get back to school and hopefully encourage them to utilize it in the school program.”
Emma Vos, Maribel, Wis., shared her thoughts on USJersey programs, “There is so much value in the AJCA programs. It doesn’t matter the size of the herd, the programs fit all.”
The Takeaway Lessons
“Everything this week was incredibly valuable to me,” added Gabby Rockwell, Scenery Hill, Pa. “The diversity of what we experienced was great. From visiting Albrights Jerseys LLC and seeing nine robots working, to Woodruffs and Young’s Jersey Dairy, where they milk smaller numbers of cows—it showed me everyone does things differently but can be very successful in what they do.”
“This week inspired me to continue to follow in my grandparents’ path and reach for the goal of being a Master Breeder one day,” said Tyler Seals, Tillamook, Ore.
“I am not sure how my peers absorbed this trip, but I know it has caused me to reevaluate my college plans, changed the direction of my herd and my perspective of the dairy industry’s future,” Madelynn Hoffman.
“Every day was valuable for employment opportunities,” said Rachel Anderson.
Surprise ending
As the graduates of Class VII left their weeklong adventure, Executive Secretary Neal Smith told them, “This experience isn’t over, there is still more to come.”
On September 25, the ‘more to come’ was revealed via a social media post on Facebook.
Robert and Pam Bignami of Brentwood Farms, Orland, Calif., had an added bonus for Class VII. In 2020 at The All American Jersey Sale, the couple donated $60,000 from the proceeds of BW Graduate-ET to enhance the National Jersey Youth Development programs of the AJCA. They set aside $40,000 to establish the Brentwood Farms scholarship (beginning in 2022) and another $20,000 to enhance the experience this year’s Jersey Youth Academy class. Their hope is to change the lives of some of our brightest youth in the dairy industry.
Nine class members were selected throughout the week as an anonymous committee worked behind the scenes to learn more about the class, where they came from, and their life goals and plan of action. These nine students are each being awarded a trip to an impactful Jersey event in the next two years. (winners are on page 21)
A trip to The Wilds was added to the Academy program this year. The Sunset Safari featured an opportunity to ask questions of the grounds and animal managers as well as learn more about the habitats of many of the wild animals in captivity. The Wilds consists of more than 10,000 acres of conservational land in southeast Ohio.
James Edward Holton, Dawsonville, Ga., has been named the winner of the Reuben R. Cowles Youth Educational Award. He will receive a scholarship in the amount of $2,000 at the Youth Awards Ceremony held with All American festivities in Louisville, Ky., on November 7, 2021.
Holton earned an animal science degree from the University of Georgia (UGA) in 2019 and is now enrolled in the university’s College of Veterinary Medicine. He plans to become a food animal veterinarian.
He and his twin brother, Matthew, operate H2 Jersey Farm. The herd was established in 2012 as three show heifers and today numbers 40 head. A portion of the herd traces to purchases from the Pot O’Gold Sale. James also received the Cowles youth Holton award in 2017 and 2018. He won the Russell-Malnati Scholarship for Advanced Studies in 2019 and the AJCA Directors’ Scholarship in 2017. He attended Jersey Youth Academy in 2013.
As an undergraduate, he competed on the dairy judging and dairy challenge teams and was an ambassador for the college. He chaired the dairy science club’s commercial dairy heifer show and was named the club’s Outstanding Junior.
James has continued his role as ambassador for the UGA College of Veterinary Medicine and sits on the school’s scholarship committee as well. He is active with the American Association of Bovine Practitioners (AABP). He is president of the local student chapter and serves on the reproduction committee of the national organization. He also belongs to the UGA Veterinary Business Management Association, the UGA Student Affiliate Veterinary Medicine Association, and Omega Tau Sigma fraternity. He is a member of the palpation team and the theriogenology club.
This past summer, James was a veterinary intern with Select Sires in Plain City, Ohio, where he gained experience in semen collection and surgeries. He has also worked for Parker Veterinary Clinic and All Animals Veterinary Hospital.
The Cowles Youth Educational Award
The Cowles Youth Educational Award differs from many of the traditional scholarships managed by the American
So, whom was Mr. Cowles, a man so special that his friends and peers established a scholarship in his honor?
Reuben R. Cowles, aka “Rube,” was born in 1908 on the family Jersey farm in Statesville, N.C. In his childhood, the Jersey herd was three milk cows kept by his mother. Rube claimed one of them as his own and helped with bottling and delivery of milk to neighbors. The sale of “Just Jerseys” milk was an easy one thanks to a thickerthan-average cream line, clearly visible in the glass bottles of the day. The customer base grew to Statesville and the herd grew to 20 cows.
As with many, the Great Depression hit hard and the Cowles family lost everything. Everything, that is, but the cows. Rube had faith in his cows. So, when he lost all but one of them in the government’s brucellosis-testing program, he gradually rebuilt the herd at Jersey Hill Farm. The foundation of the herd came from Biltmore, with later additions from Sweet Jerseys, Happy Valley, Marlu, and Sunbeam.
Rube managed the herd that eventually numbered 65 cows with programs from the American Jersey Cattle Club (AJCC), including registration, production testing and classification.
Jersey Hill Farm ranked nationally for production, proved or helped to prove bulls, and routinely consigned to the National Heifer Sale and The All American Jersey Sale. Cowles developed numerous Ton of Gold cows
Cowles poses with one of his consignments to the Dixie Classic sale. He was a founding father of the sale and served on the sale committee for more than 20 years. and several with lifetime credits over 100,000 lbs. milk—quite a feat for the time.
Cowles served three terms as president of the North Carolina Jersey Breeders Association and sat on the advisory board of the Randleigh Foundation. He helped to organize the first A.I. organization in Iredell County and was a founding father of the Dixie Classic
sale. He was elected to his first of two terms as AJCC Director in 1968 and received the organization’s Distinguished Service Award in 1977.
In 1979, the Cowles herd was purchased by another Jersey legend, W. Charles McGinnis, former program director for National All-Jersey Inc., past president of the AJCC, and fellow recipient of the Distinguished Service Award.
Whether in the barn or in the community, Cowles devoted his life to the Jersey cow. He was “the heart and soul of ‘Jersey’ in our part of the world,” noted Dennis Leamon, who operates Lucky L Jerseys with his wife, Mary Beth, and their family on the farm previously owned by Cowles.
Cowles helped to establish the AllJersey milk program in the Carolinas in the late 1950s and 1960s, convincing dairies to sign up and then sourcing cattle for producers. He was the driving force for adoption by Superior Dairy of Statesville, a move that then required producers to switch to Jerseys. Cowles was also instrumental in obtaining 82 heifers from North Carolina for the national 5,000 Jersey Heifers for Pro-
Jeff Core, Salvisa, Ky., was named winner of the 79th Klussendorf Award, the highest recognition given to a dairy cattle showperson in the U.S.
Jeff and his wife, Alta Mae, operate Keightly-Core Jersey Farm, a 60-cow Registered Jersey farm, with their grown family. Fittingly, the couple met at The All American Jersey Show more than four decades ago. After the Iowa boy and Kentucky gal married, they moved to her home farm. They purchased a dairy farm of their own in 1987.
The Cores have bred and exhibited several champions at The All American Jersey Show, World Dairy Expo and the Kentucky State Fair. They also regularly earn banners for Premier Breeder and Premier Exhibitor.
Among the recent standouts are Hirds Colton Dream, Excellent-96%, 2018 National Grand Champion and Overall Premier Performance Winner of the 2017 All American Jersey Show (owned with Frank and Diane Borba), and the inaugural GJPI Champion of The All American Jersey Show, KCJF Colton Dancer. The Cores have also exhibited several winners of the National Jersey Jug Futurity, including KCJF Tracers Ritzy (2012) and KCJF Sambo Molly (2008), and four-time Junior
Jeff Core National Grand Champion, KJF Renaissance Lacey {6}, Excellent-96%.
Another matriarch, KCJF Regency Treasure, is one of a handful of cows to be appraised Excellent-97%. A matriarch still in the herd, 4W Pusher Lizzie, Excellent-94%, is the current leader for lifetime milk production and second for fat, with 312,124 lbs. milk, 13,523 lbs. fat and 11,100 lbs. protein in 4,053 days.
Jeff has also judged national and international cattle shows. He was associate judge of The All American Jersey Show in 2004 and the International Brown Swiss Show in 2019.
In the 79 years the award has been given, Jeff and Alta Mae are the first husband-wife duo to be honored. She received the honor in 1999.
Keightley-Core Jerseys is enrolled on REAP and has a 2020 lactation average of 18,339 lbs. milk, 925 lbs. fat and 687 lbs. protein. With the latest appraisal, the herd includes 45 Excellents and 38 Very Goods and has an average final score of 89.6%.
A choice of two fancy-pedigreed Jerseys sold for $4,850 to top all lots consigned to this year’s Cal Poly Showcase Sale on February 12. In all, seven Jersey lots sold for an average of $1,914.29 at the Cal Poly dairy in San Luis Obispo, Calif. The sale also auctioned Holsteins and Red and Whites for an overall sale average of $1,761.46 on 24 lots.
The partnership of Phillip Airoso, Quaid Everett and Kestin Martin, Porterville, Calif., placed the final bid of $4,850 on a choice between full sisters Schulte Bros Cltn Fame & Fortune-ET and Schulte Bros Colton Famous-ET. They chose the former, donated by Stan Henderson and De Groot Dairy of Hanford, Calif.
The fall calf sired by Chilli Action Colton-ET, GJPI -71, is a potential 10th generation Excellent and a full sister to Schulte Bros Colton Fame-ET, the reigning Supreme Heifer Champion of the North American International Livestock Exposition. Their dam, Pleasant Nook Guns Foxy Lady, is an Excellent-91% daughter of SV Jade Hired Gun-ET, GJPI -94, with 18,730 lbs. milk, 745 lbs. fat and 687 lbs. protein in 296 days at 2-10. She was Reserve Intermediate Champion of the Iowa State Fair in 2016.
The grandam of “Fame & Fortune” is appraised EX 91-5E in Canada and has a pair of records over 17,000 lbs. milk. The third dam, Pleasant Nook Sambo Frolic, SUP-EX 91-6E (CAN), earned a five-star brood cow award and three silver awards for production from Jersey Canada. She has lifetime totals of 190,766 lbs. milk, 9,779 lbs. fat and 6,846 lbs. protein in nine lactations.
The next six dams are Excellent in Canada.
Cal Poly is operated with a motto of “Learn by Doing.” The study-operated dairy milks Registered Jerseys and Holsteins. The Jersey herd is enrolled on REAP. It leads the nation for m.e. milk production among herds with 80-149 cows with a 2020 lactation average of 23,448 lbs. milk, 1,071 lbs. fat and 810 lbs. protein on 111 lactations. The dairy also ranks among the top 10 for similar sized herds for m.e. fat and protein and for all measures of actual production. With the April 2021 type appraisal, the herd has an average final score of 85.5% and includes 25 Excellent and 103 Very Good cows.
Number
3 Bred heifers 4 Heifer calves
Sale Analysis
Avg. Price Total Value $1,700.00 $5,100 2,075.00 8,300
7 Lots Median price $1,914.29 $13,400 $1,400.00
Sale Management: Cal Poly Dairy Club
A choice of two full sisters out of Pleasant Nook Guns Foxy Lady, above, was the high selling lot of the Cal Poly Showcase Sale. Phillip Airosa, Quaid Everett and Kestin Martin placed the last bid of $4,850 and chose Schulte Bros Cltn Fame & FortuneET, donated by Stan Henderson and De Groot Dairy.
Sales $1,825 and Over
(Consignors in Parentheses)
Phillip Airosa, Quaid Everett and Kestin Martin,
Porterville, Calif.
Schulte Bros Cltn Fame & Fortune-ET, heifer calf 5 mos. ............................................................................... $4,850 (Stan Henderson and De Groot Dairy, Hanford, Calif.)
Jamie Noland, Los Osos, Calif.
Poly Chrome Jasmin 1074, bred heifer 21 mos............ 1,875 (Cal Poly Corporation, San Luis Obispo, Calif.)
Charles and Sandra Russell, Randolph Center, Vt.
Poly AMP Amie 1069, bred heifer 23 mos.................... 1,825 (Cal Poly Corporation)
(continued from page 22) Jersey Cattle Association (AJCA). While it can be used to fund education, it can also be used for a broad range of other educational purposes. As well, it is available only to young Jersey breeders who reside in one of six southeastern states—Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Virginia.
The fund was established to help young people get a start in the dairy business, be that through advanced studies, or another avenue altogether. Youth may use the award to defray travel expenses to The All American, annual meetings of the national Jersey organizations, World Dairy Expo, or another dairy industry venue. Jersey enthusiasts up to 36 years-of-age are eligible to apply, so the award can help entrepreneurs broaden their network, discover opportunities, and develop their own niche in the dairy industry.
The Cowles Youth Educational Award was initially given as a regional award in 1986. It was added to the pool of scholarships managed by the AJCA in 1998. In the past 35 years, more than $40,000 has been awarded to 35 individuals. Many have established themselves in the dairy industry today, with careers in A.I., cattle marketing and dairy herd management. Two are serving as directors of the American Jersey Cattle Association. One is a former chair of the All American Junior Activities Committee. All have benefitted from the efforts of a group of Jersey breeders to honor a man affectionately known as “Mr. Jersey” in the Southeast.
Jersey Youth Scholarships
Applications for the Reuben R. Cowles Youth Educational Fund and other scholarships from the AJCA are available at www. USJersey.com/YouthProgram/scholarshipinfo.html. Applications for the 2022-2023 school year will be accepted from April 1 through July 1, 2022. For more information, contact Kim Billman, AJCA Director of Communications, at 6486 E. Main St., Reynoldsburg, OH 43068, 614/322-4451, or kbillman@ usjersey.com.
(continued from page 22) motion project that supported the AllJersey program.
His greatest impact as a human being, however, was on people. During his 80 years of life, Cowles guided many on the path to dairy careers and farm ownership.
Among them was a young Dennis Leamon, a self-described kid from eastern Tennessee who got a calf as a 4-H project, studied dairy science at the University of Tennessee, and dreamed of owning his own dairy farm. After graduation, Leamon worked for Mayfield Dairy in Tennessee and then for McArthur Dairies in Florida.
Leamon’s journey to dairy ownership was kicked off in 1974, when he saw an ad in the Jersey Journal looking for All-Jersey producers for Statesville. He took a few vacation days and headed to North Carolina to connect with Cowles and investigate.
“He helped me establish relationships with people in the industry. He told me whom I could get feed from and whom could be trusted 2008 AJCA Master Breeder and current NAJ as a source of cattle. When vice president, Jim Huffard, is among those Cowles you are new, alone, and mentored. Here, Cowles presents a coveted ideal know no one, people like Rube are a God-send.” Jersey cow model hand-painted by Francis Eustis (#4) to a young Huffard at the Dixie Classic shortly after the passing of his father in the mid-1970s. Acts like this were
“Mary Beth and I moved typical of Cowles.
to North Carolina and rented a farm for five years. Then, when Rube sold his cows, we worked out a purchase/lease deal for the farm in 1979.”
The Leamons followed in the footsteps of their mentor, developing a Jersey herd recognized for its grazing practices, high production, and longevity. The Leamons have also been active off the farm in service to community and the dairy industry.
Stories like this are countless. Stories like this are the reason the Reuben R. Cowles Educational Fund was established as a tribute to a man who acted on his heart and touched the lives of many.
Though Rube passed away on Valentine’s Day in 1998, he continues to impact young people from the Southeast through the educational fund.
Persons who have a strong desire to pursue a career in managing and/or marketing Registered Jersey™ cattle are encouraged to apply for the 2022 Fred Stout Experience awards.
The awards are presented annually in memory of Fred J. Stout Sr., Mt. Carmel, Ill., a lifelong Jersey breeder and member of the Jersey Marketing Service staff from 1978 to 1997 who believed that the best learning experiences happen in the everyday world.
Awards will be made for two paid internships, one with Jersey Marketing Service, Reynoldsburg, Ohio, and the other an on-farm, customized experience on a Jersey dairy operation. The awards, provided by a permanent endowment created by friends and colleagues of Fred Stout, will pay for housing, travel and related activities required by the cooperating employer up to the maximum amount of the scholarship award.
Applicants must have completed their high school education. To apply, visit http://bit.do/Stout-Experience to download the application. Interested applicants will answer a series of questions stating your ambitions, goals and career aspirations, including plans for achieving them. A one-page résumé listing previous work experience, education, activities and awards is also needed.
Two letters of support are required, one from an active breeder of Registered Jersey™ cattle, excluding immediate family members; and the other from a teacher, mentor or past employer. These must be mailed directly by the supporters to the USJersey office.
Applications and letters of support must be postmarked no later than December 1, 2021, and addressed to Fred Stout Experience, American Jersey Cattle Association, 6486 E. Main Street, Reynoldsburg, OH 43068-2362. They can also be submitted by email to info@ usjersey.com.
Previous recipients of the Fred Stout Experience Award are Tara Bohnert, Illinois (2003); Allison Waggoner, South Carolina (2004); Dan Bauer, Wisconsin (2005); Aaron Horst, Pennsylvania (2006); Jacob Pieper, Maryland (2007); Katie Albaugh, Maryland (2008); Brady Core, Kentucky (2009); Kim Wilson, Missouri, and Ivy Roberts, Florida (2010); Joseph Fjarlie, Wisconsin, and Amy Maxwell, Iowa (2011); Robert McGarry, Vermont, and Lyman Rudgers, New York (2012); Meagan Bolen, Ohio, and Wyatt Smith, Minnesota (2013); Olivia Pearson, North Carolina, and Meagan Chittenden, New York (2014); Tyler French, South Carolina, and Gerret Boer, Texas (2015); Austin Woods, Wisconsin, and Laura Bell (2016); Tyler Kirchdoerfer, Missouri, and Blake Koehn, Oklahoma (2017); Amanda LoRusso, Connecticut (2018); Brennan Topp, Ohio, and Abigail Grimm, Minnesota (2019); Hannah Diehl, Pennsylvania (2020); Elizabeth Gross, Pennsylvania and Meghan Hettinga, Iowa (2021).
Meghan Hettinga, left, and Hannah Diehl, second right, were recognized this past summer as winners of the Fred Stout Experience by committee members Tara Bohnert Yoder, second left, and Aaron Horst.
