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CONTACT: Mark O’Neill, Media Relations Director, (717) 761-2740 or e-mail
For Immediate Release: November 18, 2009
(Hershey) – Carissa Itle Westrick of Cambria County has been named Pennsylvania Farm Bureau’s winner of the 2009 Young Farmer and Rancher “Excellence in Ag” Award at PFB’s 59th Annual Meeting in Hershey.
Itle Westrick was selected the winner of the YF&R Excellence in Ag Award after being recognized for her involvement and leadership in agriculture.
Itle Westrick works as Director of Marketing at Vale Wood Farms in Cambria County, where she promotes the farm to local consumers, the community and school students. Each year, she hosts about 4,000 school students on tours of the dairy operation and also participates in other agritainment events, such as hayride tours on the farm. The tours help educate the public about farming and how agriculture operations are important to the economic health of local communities. Before working at the family-owned dairy operation, Itle Westrick worked as director of environment programs for the National Milk Producers Federation and currently acts as a dairy spokesperson for the Mid-Atlantic Dairy Association. She also serves on the Cambria County Farm Bureau legislative committee.
“Even though my family and I play just a small part in advancing agriculture in our community, I’m proud of the accomplishments we’ve achieved, especially in the area of educating children and consumers about farming issues and where their food comes from,” said Itle Westrick.
Drew and Trisha Bowman of York County were the other finalists.
As the state winner, Itle Westrick receives $500 from Dodge, $250 in vouchers at Choice Hotels, lodging and registration for PFB’s 2010 State YF&R Leadership Conference and an expense paid trip to the American Farm Bureau’s Annual Meeting in Seattle, Washington in January.
Hundreds of farmers from across the state attended Pennsylvania Farm Bureau’s 59th Annual Meeting at the Hershey Lodge and Convention Center from November 16-18, to set policy for the statewide organization on issues affecting farm and rural families.
Pennsylvania Farm Bureau is the state’s largest farm organization with a volunteer membership of
nearly 47,000 farm and rural families, representing farms of every size and commodity across Pennsylvania.
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