Donna Myer is a graduate of the University of Maryland with a degree in Human Ecology. Together she and her husband, Jason, own Windsor Manor Farm, a 300-acre parcel that is home to 54 milking Registered Holsteins. Donna not only co-manages the herd, she also handles the finances and oversees the labor force. Their herd has been awarded 9 Progressive Breeder Registry Award and 18 Progressive Genetics Awards. She has proven an asset in the breeding of numerous Excellent scoring cows and numerous All-Maryland and All-American Awards. One of the greatest accomplishments was breeding the number one TPI bull of 2002, Windsor Manor Machoman.

She has served as a great mentor by encouraging numerous youth to become active in the dairy industry as they travel through life. Described by some as a “tireless 4-H Mom”, she has helped to mold many of today’s young dairy leaders. Donna is more active than ever in the Maryland State Fair having served as the Superintendent of the Dairy Show for the past eight years as well as the Board of Directors where she was instrumental in developing the new combined show schedule that saved exhibitors time and expense. She has coached 4-H dairy cattle judging teams locally and for the state of Maryland. Donna also coached the winning Senior Dairy Bowl team at the 1987 National Holstein Convention.

Even beyond her active role in the Windsor Manor Farm and throughout the Maryland 4-H realm, Donna has led by example throughout her life. Donna currently serves as President of the Maryland Holstein Association and President of the Maryland Agriculture Council, Inc. She has also served in the past on the Holstein Foundation Fundraising Committee, Co-Chair of the 1981 National Holstein Junior Convention, National Junior Advisory Board for Holstein Association, Chair of the Carroll County 4-H Fair and National Holstein Convention Delegate. She and her family have also hosted numerous farm tours for school children and industry groups to share the positive story of agriculture.

Donna’s leadership on the farm, in state associations, at church and in her community makes her a well-rounded contributor to society. In a day and age when all dairy producers need to be upstanding farmers and community citizens, Donna exemplifies what it means to bring the message of agriculture to the public light in a positive way.

The 2011 World Dairy Expo Dairy Woman of the Year award is sponsored by St. Jacobs ABC, Select Sires, Inc., Orion Energy Systems and A & L Laboratories, Inc.

MD State Sale in the Books
The Maryland State Sale took place Saturday evening, July 16th at the Frederick County Fairgrounds in Frederick, MD. Held in conjunction with the state picnic, there was a big crowd on hand for the sale managed by MD-Hillbrook. At the end of the night, 79 lots averaged $4,698 with a sale gross of $366,500.

High sellers on the evening:

Lot E – $20,000 – First choice Avery or Shamrock out of KY-Blue GW Dana-ET (VG-85 GTPI +2091), then EX-91 Outside and 2E-94 Chief Adeen

Lot 3 – $12,500 – Farnear Brocades Brandi-ET, a 2/11 Observer out of EX-92 Brocade (the #6 GPTAT cow in the breed at +4.01T) then EX-92 Barbie

EASTON, Md. – Maryland Holstein breeders and juniors were recognized at the 47th annual Maryland Holstein Convention Saturday, March 12, at the Krystal Q.

Two special awards highlighted the event, the Outstanding Maryland Holstein Dairyman’s Award and the Maryland Holstein Distinguished Service Award.

The dairyman’s award was presented to the Mike and Liz Doody family of Dool-Leigh Farm in Union Bridge. The farm has been in operation for 27 years. Today, the family farms 220 acres and milks 70 head with a herd average of 22,400 pounds of milk. They have exhibited junior and grand champion animals, including several supreme champion winners at the Great Frederick Fair.

David and Sally Hill of Gettysburg, Pa., were the recipients of the service award. David Hill has worked for Alta Genetics as a district sales manager and Alta Advantage consultant. Sally Hill works as an admissions office administrative services assistant at Gettysburg College. The Hills bred and developed several All-American nominated cattle as well as over 25 Excellent cows and several All-Maryland award winners. They both have served on numerous Holstein committees and help at the Maryland State Fair checking in cattle, managing the schedule and clerking the shows.
During the evening junior awards program, Elizabeth Davis and Cathleen Doody of Union Bridge were named the Young Distinguished Junior Member honorees. Doody was named the overall recordbook winner.

• Recordbook awards were presented to the following youth:
  First-year girls – 1-Trinity Miller, Carroll County; 2-Jordyn Griffin, Carroll County; 3-Jill Allen, Frederick County; 4-Ashley Davis, Washington County
• First-year boys – 1-Ryan Allen, Frederick County; 2-Noah Iager, Washington County
• Junior girls – 1-Catherine Savage, Montgomery County; 2-Shelby Iager, Frederick County; 3-Sydney Davis, Washington County; 4-Kayla Umbel, Frederick County
• Junior boys – 1-Todd Allen, Frederick County; 2-Gene Wiles, Washington County
• Intermediate girls – 1-Cathleen Doody, Frederick County; 2-Elizabeth Davis, Caroll County; 3-Katelyn Allen, Frederick County; 4-Carol DeBaugh, Washington County; HM-Tessa Wiles, Washington County; HM-Macayla Wiles, Washington County
• Intermediate boys – 1-Cory DeBaugh, Washington County
• Senior honorable mention – 1-Collins Lethbridge, Carroll County

Junior Progressive Breeder Awards were presented to Scott DeBaugh, Cathleen Doody and Austin Schwartzbeck. Scott DeBaugh, Aubrey Schwartzbeck and Austin Schwartzbeck were honored as junior breeders of an excellent cow. Aubrey Schwartzbeck won the Junior 200,000-pound Lifetime Production Award.

Tracey Forsythe of Hagerstown was the recipient of the $2,000 Outstanding Maryland Holstein Scholar award. She is the daughter of Mike and Christine Forsythe and an agribusiness major at Delaware Valley College. At school, she is involved in Dairy Society, National Agri Marketing Association, cross country and track. As a member of the Washington County Dairy Club, she served as president, vice president, treasurer and secretary. She hopes to graduate with a minor in horticulture and have a small greenhouse in the future.

Carissa Doody, Austin Schwartzbeck, Andrea Steyer and Jason Zimmerman received $750 scholarships.
Carissa Doody is the daughter of David and Carole Doody. The Virginia Tech sophomore is majoring in dairy science with a pre-vet option. She is active in Dairy Club and Pre-Vet Club. She was active and held offices in the Johnsville 4-H Club, Frederick County Dairy Club and Linganore FFA. She hopes to become a large animal veterinarian or go into the dairy research field.

Austin Schwartzbeck is a freshman at Virginia Tech majoring in dairy science. He is the son of Gus and Lisa Schwartzbeck of Union Bridge. His college activities include Dairy Club and intramural sports. He was a member of the Progressive Clovers 4-H Club and the Francis Scott Key FFA Chapter. His future plans include returning to the family farm to expand and improve upon the family’s dairy herd.

A junior at West Virginia University, Andrea Steyer majors in animal and nutritional sciences/agribusiness management. She is the daughter of Randall and Linda Steyer of Oakland. She is a member of Block and Bridle and the Dairy Science Club and the dairy judging team. She was a member of the Ryan’s Glade 4-H Club and Oakland FFA Chapter, where she won many awards. In the future, she hopes to attend vet school or work in animal nutrition.

A resident of Littlestown, Pa., Jason Zimmerman is a freshman at Virginia Tech majoring in dairy science. He is the son of Kathy Zimmerman. His college activities include Dairy Club and Pre-Vet Club and work as a laboratory student for Dr. Katharine Knowlton. Jason was a member of the Montgomery County 4-H Dairy Club, where he was president for eight years. His future plans include attending vet school.

The Junior Holstein Jamboree was held in conjunction with the convention at the Wye Research Center in nearby Queenstown. Juniors participated in dairy bowl, dairy jeopardy and speech competitions for the opportunity to represent Maryland at the national Holstein convention.

The junior Maryland Holstein dairy bowl team consists of Derrick Zimmerman, Bryce Zimmerman, Carol DeBaugh and Kyle Plummer. Members of the senior Maryland Holstein dairy bowl team are Carissa Doody, Mandi Ramsburg, Clayborne Zimmerman and Kristin Zimmerman.

Holstein jeopardy contestants are Katelyn Allen, junior; Scott DeBaugh, intermediate; and Austin Schwartzbeck, senior. Speech winners are Katelyn Allen, junior; Ryan Zimmerman, intermediate; and Carissa Doody, senior.

Also during the convention, new directors were elected to the Maryland Holstein Board of Directors. They are Ryan Shank, Barb Minde and Erin Burall, three years; and Scott Youse, one year.

• Senior Events