SYRACUSE, N.Y. –Dairylea Cooperative Inc. hosted its 106th Annual Meeting at the Holiday Inn in Liverpool, N.Y., during the week of Oct. 14. The meeting announced a proposed merger with Dairy Farmers of America (DFA), discussed the future of many different sectors of the dairy industry and celebrated a number of member farms and award winners, while tying in the theme, “The Power of Change: Drive – Partner – Lead.”
Dairylea Chairman, William Beeman, began the annual meeting by reflecting on his tenure as a board member and dairy farmer. Again, tying into the year’s theme, The Power of Change, Beeman shared, “The changes we are proposing are powerful, meaningful and will set the course for us in the future.”
“Our journey to arrive at this new direction began a year and a half ago as we started to review the changing dynamics of our membership; there is a seismic shift of new leaders and business owners emerging among the membership ranks with generational transfers occurring and consolidation of farms.”
He continued to explain: “Bottom line, the needs of our members have changed, as has the definition of the value they seek from their Cooperative.”
Beeman ended his address to members by saying, “The Dairylea story has always been about you. I am hopeful that together we will make the right decision to assure future generations a solid and strong cooperative that is, and always will be, farmer-driven.”
Following Beeman’s welcoming address, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Greg Wickham, who is in his eighth year of executive leadership shared, “Dairylea’s Board of Directors has spent the past three years deeply involved in a comprehensive examination of how to best position Dairylea for the future.”
“The industry is changing. There is more focus on international products with more than 13% of dairy being exported. We need to ensure US dairy farmers have a stake and bring more value to our members.”
Wickham further summarized, “This is an exciting and beneficial move for both Cooperatives. By coming together we are building a stronger Cooperative for members.”
Additional speakers, Randy Mooney, Chairman, and Rick Smith, President and Chief Executive Officer from Dairy Farmers of America (DFA) highlighted the long-term partnership Dairylea and DFA have shared and the natural union of the complimentary organizations.
The annual meeting concluded with an annual banquet, where Dairylea honored a number of member farms. The awards presented included the prestigious Pride of Dairylea Award, several Scholarship Awards, Distinguished Member Awards and Quality Milk Management Awards.
Three member farms were awarded the prestigious Pride of Dairylea Award, created to recognize member farms that are well managed, well maintained and operate with the utmost quality product in mind. This year, Dairylea recognized Table Rock Farm of Castile, N.Y., Bloss Family Farm of Wapwallopen, Pa., and Allenwaite Farms Inc. of Schaghticoke, N.Y., as Pride of Dairylea recipients for 2013.
The Distinguished Member awards were presented to Dairylea members who have been a part of the Dairylea membership for more than 50 consecutive years. This year, eight farms were honored with an engraved display clock. They included Daniels Dairy Farm LLC., operated by George and George Jr. Daniels of Jordan, N.Y.; the Richter Family Trust II, operated by Raymond and Better Richter of Conewango Valley, N.Y.; Alfred and Dawn Stannard of Valley Falls, N.Y.; Sheldon Farm Inc., operated by Richard Sheldon of Fair Haven, Vt.; Stein & Sons Inc., operated by Hubert W. Stein of Caledonia. N.Y.; Aldon Acres, operated by Alan and Lisa, Donald and Donna Gearhart of Martinsburg, Pa.; Welch Farm, operated by Harold and Melody Welch of Starrucca, Pa., and Clyde Dale Farms, owned by Clyde and Mabel Eltz of Pleasant Mount, Pa.
Dairylea also awarded high school and college aged members who are pursuing careers in agriculture-related professions with several scholarships. The Clyde E. Rutherford Scholarship was established in honor of the now retired, long-time chairman, Clyde E. Rutherford. This scholarship was given for the second year and recognized one outstanding student who excels academically, is pursuing a career in an agriculturerelated profession, has shown great leadership abilities and embodies the spirit of cooperation. Clark Egelston of Fultonville, N.Y., was this year’s recipient.
Additionally, several Dairylea Leadership Scholarships were awarded this year. These students exhibit outstanding leadership abilities and foster the spirit of cooperation: Isaac Hagen of Howard, Pa.; Gavin Gates of Burdett, N.Y.; Roberta Starceski of Sherman, N.Y.; Alicia Chisholm of Carthage, N.Y.; Erin J. Nellis of Fort Plain, N.Y.; Tiffany Pheasant of Williamsburg, Pa., and Justin Braun of Cambridge, N.Y.
Finally, nine Dairylea member farms were honored for their achievements in milk quality management. These awards are given annually to the top herds producing outstanding raw milk. This year’s recipients were Galens Homestead Acres, operated by Paul, Charlie, Hope and Stephen Galens of Clifton Springs, N.Y.; the Koithan Farm, operated by Robert and Kris Koithan of North Tonawanda, N.Y.; Deep Valley Farm, operated by John Bennett of Millerton, Pa.; Henderson Farms, operated by Taylor and Alan Henderson of Schaghticoke, N.Y.; Hepler Homestead Farms, LLC., operated by the Hepler Family of Pitman, Pa.; Balsam View Dairy, LLC., operated by Harold, Donna, Brian and Heidi Newton of Pharsalia, N.Y.; Reedland Farms LLC., operated by James and Jamison Reed and David Schendel of Clifton Springs, N.Y.; Tullando Farm, Inc., of Orford, N.H., and Hi Hope Farm LLC., operated by Terese, Noel, Ben and Dan Bibbins and herds manager Alicia Niemetz of Adams, N.Y.
Dairylea Cooperative Inc. is a farmerowned agricultural marketing and service organization with more than 1,200 member farms across the Northeast. Dairylea is a premier milkmarketing organization based in the region, selling more than six billion pounds of raw milk annually through an extensive milkmarketing network. Its goal is to maximize net returns at the farm by preserving and enhancing milk markets and milkmarketing relationships, and by providing services and programs that create real value for its members.
Source: Dairylea Cooperative Inc.