RURAL RUMBLINGS & K.I.L.E. TALES

Transcription

1 RURAL RUMBLINGS & K.I.L.E. TALES EARLY WINTER 2009 THE PUBLICATION OF THE PENNSYLVANIA LIVESTOCK ASSOCIATION JESSE M. DARLINGTON, 2009 PLA Hall of Fame Jesse M. Darlington has joined the elite club of Hall of Fame winners and PLA is proud to add his photo to those hanging in the hallway outside the Large Arena. Jess, a resident of Colyer, Pennsylvania was honored at the 2009 Keystone International Livestock Exposition. He accepted his award with a full entourage of family and friends there to share in the special time. The son of Jesse and Ruth Darlington, he resides on 215 acres of farmland and woodland with his wife Bonnie Dunlap Darlington, his bride of 46 years. The Darlingtons are the proud parents of three children: Ruth Ann, a Penn State Intellectual Property Associate; Barbara Louise, a stay at home mom; and Jesse Jr., Penn State s Ag Progress Days Assistant Manager. Jesse s roots in agriculture run deep, being raised on a dairy Acting Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding stands with the PLA Hall farm on land granted to the family in 1683 by William Penn. He of Fame presenter Dennis Grumbine, winner Jesse Darlington and his graduated from Friends Central School in Overbrook, PA in 1951 wife Bonnie, and PLA President Tammy Weaver. and soon began his studies in Animal Husbandry at Penn State. Before graduating with the BS degree in 1955 Jesse amassed an extensive list of activities and honors. He was active in the Block and Bridle Club, Coaly Society, and the student ag publication, Ag Hill Breeze where he received recognition for outstanding journalism. He was a member of the 1954 Livestock Judging Team and the 1952, 53, and 54 varsity baseball squad. He was a barn boy at the horse barns from and was the recording secretary of the Phi Gamma Delta fraternity. Jess completed the Naval ROTC program at Penn State, being commissioned as an Ensign in He was a member of the Scabbard and Blade organization and was invited to join the Pershing Rifles group, being promoted to commanding officer overseeing all units in the Northeast United States. Following graduation Jess served two years active duty with the Navy aboard the USS Aldebaran, serving in the Caribbean and Mediterranean seas. When discharged in 1957 he began work at Penn State with the beef cattle program and from 1958 to 1960 managed the beef herd and show cattle. In 1960 he became manager of the horse barn, a position he held for 8 years. Following the death of his father in law he worked in the Dunlap Motors Ford dealership from 1968 through 1990, eventually becoming Vice President and General Manager. He became a licensed airplane pilot in Jess is a lifetime member of the Percheron Association (serving on national and regional show committees), the American Quarter Horse Association, the Foundation Quarter Horse Registry, and the Penn State Alumni Association. He is a member of the Pennsylvania Farm Bureau, Angus Association, Pennsylvania Draft Horse and Mule Association and Pennsylvania Equine Council and serves on the PLA Board of Directors. He has served the State College community as a member of the Elks Club and Lions Club and served as president of the Edgewood Memorial Park in Glenn Mills, PA. Jess has been a familiar face in the draft horse show ring for 25 years, not only at the KILE and Pennsylvania State Farm Show but also the Ohio State and Michigan State Farm Shows and five World Shows. He became a licensed Quarter Horse judge in 1958 and for 12 years judged shows all over the US and Canada. He continues to serve as Ring Master at many shows.

2 PLA PLA OFFICERS OFFICERS President: Tammy Weaver 22 Camp Rogers Road Ephrata, PA First Vice-President: Ronald Miller C. Miller 612 Skyline Road Bernville, Secretary: PA Harold Harpster Secretary: 324 Henning Building Harold University Harpster Park, PA Henning Building University Park, PA Treasurer: Jeff Bollinger Treasurer: 990 Texter Mt. Road Jeff Reinholds, Bollinger PA Texter Mt. Road Reinholds, Executive PA Secretary: Lois Rankin Executive 77 South Ridge Secretary: Road Lois Spring Rankin Grove, PA South Ridge Road Spring Grove, PA KILE Show Manager James Sharp KILE Farm Show Complex Manager James 2300 N. Sharp Cameron Street Farm Harrisburg, Show PA Complex N. Cameron Street Harrisburg, PA KILE Promotions Manager Dave McElhaney KILE 149 Pittsburgh Promotions Grade Manager Rd. Dave Hookstown, McElhaney PA Pittsburgh Grade Rd. Hookstown, PA CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR YOUTH Kate Livingston, who was one of the Outstanding 4-H Winners at KILE, has had a busy fall. She was a member of the York County Livestock Judging team that represented PA at the National contest in Louisville in November. In addition to Kate, Morgan Livingston, Katie Shultz and Andrew Bankert were members of the team coached by Sam Long. The team placed 14th overall in the contest out of 38 teams. Well done! At the end of November, Kate traveled to Atlanta as a delegate to the National 4-H Congress. Acting Secy of Ag Russell Another York County team that represented PA Redding, Kate Livingston. at a national contest is the Hippology Team. They competed at Quarter Horse Congress in October, placing 7th overall out of 19 teams. In November, they competed in the Eastern National 4-H Roundup in Louisville where they placed 6th overall out of 24 teams. Good job! Team members are Amy Jacobs, Courtney Mohler, Katelyn Ross and Mindy Schneider and are coached by Deb Jeffrey. PLA has supported these teams as they represented PA and in appreciation of that support, you will find these young people giving time at the Food Booth at Farm Show. PENNSYLVANIA FARM SHOW January 9-16, 2010 It s time to start planning for the 2010 Farm Show Food Booth. Because the Food Booth is PLA s main source of income, it is vitally important that this fund raiser be successful. About 80% of the profit from the Food Booth supports youth programs. Just let Lois know what day and time you can work and you will get plugged into the schedule. You can do this by phone ( ) or (lsrankin@comcast.net) Thank you in advance for your support. (Please bring a clean baseball type cap with you to wear in the booth. We have a limited supply and they are shared.) 2

3 2009 SCHOLARHIPS AWARDED The Pennsylvania Livestock Association presented educational scholarships to six outstanding young individuals at the Keystone Livestock Exposition on October 1, PLA President Tammy Weaver made the presentations at the Opening Ceremony of the 53rd Anniversary of the show. Each of the recipients filled out a detailed application, including academic transcripts and personal references as well as a narrative about their livestock involvement. They were chosen on the basis of outstanding leadership skills, a keen interest in the livestock industry and an involvement in KILE and support of PLA among other traits. Receiving scholarships were Sarah Doyle, Caitlin Fairbairn, Ryan Fairbairn, Cody Gerlach, Johanna Rohrer and Darla Romberger. SARAH DOYLE Sarah Doyle of Red Lion in York County, PA is the daughter of Richard and Karen Doyle. She is an honors graduate of York Catholic High School and is attending Penn State with an Animal Science major with a business option. Her future plans are to attend Penn State Dickinson Law School with an emphasis in Agricultural Law. Among a long list of Sarah s high school activities are Student Council, National Honors Society, Art Club, Senior Class Play and AP Scholar. At Penn State she is active in the block and Bridle Club, National Agri Marketing Association and College of Ag Scholarship. Community activities include volunteering for Habitat for Humanity and Future Leaders of York. She received the 2009 Tony Dobrosky Future Leader Award which is given in conjunction with the York Chamber of Commerce Ag Recognition Banquet. Sarah was an active member of the York County Lamb Club and County Council holding several offices in each organization. In 2007 she was a member of the State 4-H Livestock Judging team where she placed first at State Achievement Days and a National 4-H delegate. Sarah has shown her sheep including many bred and owned animals at local, state and national shows including KILE. She is a Junior member of the National Southdown Association. She has earned the distinction of Master Showman at KILE and the PA Farm Show as well as Premier Exhibitor and Premier Breeder at the Farm Show. Sarah credits 4-H with the person she is today and of her projects says she has, learned that in order to succeed, sometimes sacrifices must be made, and sometimes you do not always win. CAITLIN FAIRBAIRN Caitlin Fairbairn is the daughter of Bill and Cheryl Fairbairn of Coatesville, PA. An honors graduate of Bishop Shanahan High School Caitlin is a senior at Penn State University majoring in Animal Science, Business Option and hoping to obtain a minor in AG Business Management. Caitlin has a keen interest in the meats industry and hopes to obtain a position with a meat company working in food safety or with the customer relations. Caitlin would like to work a few years and then possibly obtain her MBA. Caitlin is a member of the Penn State University Track Team as a pole vaulter. She placed 6 th at the Big Ten Championships held at Ohio State University in 2009 and has been a member since During her time on the track team the women s team has won the Big Ten Outdoor Championship in 2008 and Although the track team takes up much of her time Caitlin still finds time to belong to the Block and Bridle Club and participates in a few committees as time allows her. Caitlin was a member of the Chester County 4-H Beef, Sheep, and Swine 4-H clubs holding many offices in each of these clubs over the years. She was an accomplished gymnast participating in that sport since she was 3 years old. She finished her gymnastics career by qualifying for the Level 9 National Championships in During her high school years she was a member of the Bishop Shanahan Track Team participating in pole vault, long jump and triple jump. In 2006 she place 3 rd at the PA AAA State Championships in the pole vault. Her sports and 4-H activities have taught Caitlin that Winning isn t everything. It is about giving it all you have and learning from your experiences! Caitlin prides herself in fitting and showing her own animals during 4-H and helping local kids who could not keep 4-H projects on their own farms. We often had non-farm kids keeping their swine, sheep and beef projects at our house and it was fun helping them learn about the animals and teaching them to show!! Caitlin was very involved with the PA and National Junior Angus Associations participating on the board and serving as chair of the Welcoming Committee for the 2007 Eastern Regional Junior Angus Show in Harrisburg. She has shown cattle both locally and nationally. Caitlin will be showing an Angus heifer in the open show at this years KILE and helping as she has done for many years with the collegiate and junior livestock judging contest. Caitlin hopes to own her own cattle and sheep farm sometime in the future. RYAN FAIRBAIRN Ryan Fairbairn is the son of Bill and Cheryl Fairbairn of Coatesville, PA. An honors graduate of Bishop Shanahan High School, Ryan is a junior at Penn State University majoring in Animal Science, Science Option. His future plans include being accepted into the integrated masters program in animal biotechnology where he will finish a five year program and receive his masters degree. Ryan then plans on working in the field of animal biotechnology. Through this work Ryan hopes to Better the lives of humans across the world with the improvement of animal products through scientific research and technology. His college activities include the Block and Bridle Club where he has served as a member of many committees and is co-chairing the Club Calf Sale this fall. He was also a member of the PSU Meats Quiz Bowl Team that traveled to Arkansas this summer. Ryan has been very active in the PA Junior Angus Association and the National Junior Angus Association serving as a state delegate, board of director and vice president of the PA Association (Continued on page 6) 3

4 KILE OUTSTANDING YOUTH AWARDS Acting Secretary of Agriculture Russell Redding and Outstanding Youth Award Winners, Caleb Wright, Kayla Romberger and Luke Graverr Youth Awards were presented at the Opening Ceremony of the 53rd Keystone International Livestock Exposition held on October 1, 2009 at the Farm Show Complex in Harrisburg. Selected from a field of candidates submitted by county extension personnel and vocational agriculture teachers throughout the Commonwealth, awards are presented to outstanding 4-H and FFA youth. This year s 4-H winners are Kate Livingston and Luke Graver. FFA winners are Kayla Romberger and Caleb Wright. KATE LIVINGSTON Kate Livingston is the daughter of Tim and Nancy Livingston of Dover, PA in York County. An eight year member of York County 4-H Clubs, she has been active in the Beef Club, Davidsburg Community Club, County Council, and Senior Exchange. She has held many offices in each of these clubs and projects include leadership, public speaking, market steer, and beef breeding. Kate s leadership role in 4-H is evident in the many hours she volunteers at 4-H camps including overnight camp and Survivor Camp. In addition to club involvement, Kate is on this year s 4-H Livestock Judging Team which is representing Pennsylvania at the National Contest in Louisville in November. She placed fifth overall at PA 4-H State Days this past summer. The team will be competing in the junior and collegiate livestock judging contest at the Keystone International Livestock Exposition this coming Saturday. Each year the York Fair awards an FFA and 4-H award and Kate was a recipient of that award in 2008 in the 4-H division and in 2009 in the FFA division. She will also represent York County at the National 4-H Congress in Atlanta, GA this year. A senior at Dover Area High School, Kate is an active member of the Dover FFA Chapter where she is currently the President. Through FFA, she has been engaged in a wide range of agricultural activities from floriculture to mechanics. She was also fifth overall in Livestock Judging at FFA State Days this past year. An active member of the PA Junior Association, Kate has received recognition from the American Angus Auxiliary and has been awarded pins at the Bronze and Silver levels by the National Junior Angus Association and will receive her Gold pin at the 2010 National Junior Angus Show. She is co-chair of the 2011 National Junior Angus Show which will be hosted by Pennsylvania. Kate has shown her animals at shows from the local to the national level including KILE. With the Junior Angus Association, Kate attended Leadership Conferences in Montana and California the past two summers. In addition to her animals, Kate helps on her family s farm from stacking hay to selling pumpkins and sweet corn. She is also a member of Paradise Lutheran Church. Kate s future plans are to attend Penn State to earn a degree in Animal Science with a minor in Ag Business Management with a possible focus on Agriculture Education. Of her 4-H experience, Kate says, 4-H has shown me my love for agriculture; therefore I want to continue with it for the rest of my life. Where ever the future leads, it s evident that she is going to be up to the challenge. LUKE GRAVER Luke Graver is the son of Paul and Diane Miller-Graver of Lehighton, PA in Carbon County and is a sister of Christiana who was the recipient of the 4-H Youth Award in From a young age, Luke has been helping on the family farm taking care of the animals. A nine year member of the Carbon County 4-H Livestock club, he has raised and shown market hogs, market lambs, steers and breeding beef. This year, all his projects were bred and owned. He is currently a member of the 4-H Development Committee Board of Carbon County. A senior at Lehighton Area High School, Luke has been involved in chorus since fifth grade. He is a member of the Project Humanity Club where he helps with soup kitchens. He is a member of St. Paul s Lutheran church and Big Creek Grange. 4

5 KILE BEEF COMMITTEE AWARDS SCHOLARSHIP The 2009 recipients of the scholarships awarded by the KILE Beef Committee were Ryan Fairbairn and Caitlin Wolfgang seen here holding one of the items for this year s benefit auction. Ryan is is a junior at Penn State University pursuing a degree in animal science with a focus on biotechnology. Active in the Block and Bridle Club, he is the co-chair of the Club Calf Sale, was a member of the 2009 Meats Quiz Bowl Team and hopes to be on the 2010 Livestock Judging Team. Caitlin is a sophomore at Stevenson University in Stevenson, Md., pursuing a nursing degree, and is a member of the Student Nurses Association. To qualify for the scholarship, applicants must have exhibited beef cattle in the Junior Beef Show at KILE for at least one year since Applicants must be enrolled in a degree or certification program at a post-secondary educational institution (college, university, trade, or technical school). Awards are based on academics, community leadership, agricultural activities and KILE involvement. The scholarship was created in 2006 by the KILE Beef Committee to recognize beef youth s commitment to the agricultural industry and provide an additional benefit by helping them pay for college. A percentage of the proceeds raised from the Youth Beef Benefit Auction are dedicated to the scholarship fund. KILE JUDGING CONTEST RESULTS. The Tony Dobrosky Memorial Stockman s Contest was held at KILE on Friday, October 2nd. There were 323 individuals from five states participating in the contest. The winning team was North Carolina 4-H. The top individual was Laura Elmore from NC. The contest was coordinated by the Capital Region Animal Science Team led by Linda Spahr and assisted by students from Delaware Valley College. The Intercollegiate judging contest was held on Saturday, October 3rd. There were fourteen 4-H and FFA junior teams from ten states and eight collegiate teams with a total of 99 participants. The Illinois 4-H team won the junior contest, and the University of Illinois team won the collegiate contest. Jordan Rauch, a member of the Illinois 4-H team, was the high individual of the junior contest. Wes Chapple, a member of the University of Illinois team, was the high individual in the collegiate contest. A tremendous vote of thanks goes to Bob Mikesell for coordinating the contest and to the numerous volunteers who helped make the contest a success. palivestockassoc.org After two failures with the PLA website, the website is back on line with the above address. PLA now owns the domain name for life so we don t have to deal with a less than reputable domain master who didn t return calls or s and then sold the site. The web designer is adding the information to the new site in a slightly altered format from the last site so be sure to check out the new site. You ll find information about PLA, links to other sites, and newsletters among other things. If you would like anything included, please let Lois know. The website is through Fat Cow and they have been great to work with (follow up phone calls to be sure we are happy and to offer assistance). If you or anyone you know is interested in a website, I would recommend them and if you reference PLA, we get a $10 finders fee. 5

6 (Continued from page 3) for many years. He was chairman of the social committee for the Eastern Regional Junior Angus Show in Harrisburg in 2007 and is helping with the planning of the National Junior Angus Show to be held in Harrisburg in He has shown Angus cattle both locally and nationally. Ryan has been recognized for his academic achievements by being presented the American Society of Animal Science Scholastic Achievement Award. Ryan has been on the Dean s list 3 out of 4 semesters. He hopes to be part of the PSU Livestock Judging Team in Ryan was a member of the Chester County 4-H Beef and Swine Clubs for 11 years where he held many offices. He has shown his Angus cattle at many KILE shows and enjoys competing in the bred and owned division. Ryan will show two heifers this year at the Keystone and will assist with the collegiate and junior livestock judging contests. Ryan plans on raising Angus cattle along with his career in the biotech field following graduation. CODY GERLACH Cody Gerlach is the son of Nelson and Kim Gerlach of Far Hills, New Jersey. A home school graduate under the Hewitt High School Program, Cody is attending Abilene Christian University in Abilene, Texas in the marketing curriculum with a minor in ag science. His college activities include Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society, Alpha Beta Gamma Honor Society, and Conservation and Business Clubs as well as inclusion on the dean s and president s lists. Cody has been active in community service areas such as the Salvation Army, Red Cross, Relay for Life team member and the Somerset County Board of Agriculture. He is also active in his church as a youth leader and Sunday school teacher. Cody is a member of several Livestock Associations including the New Jersey (serves as President), Pennsylvania and National Junior Hereford Associations, and New York and National Junior Angus Associations. He was a member of the Branchburg Beef and Dairy Club and the 4-H Cattleman s Club where he held several leadership positions. Cody has shown his Hereford cattle including many which were bred and owned locally as well as across the county including KILE. Following his graduation from college, Cody plans to earn a master s degree with a career path to working in agriculture with a possible political career as an advocate for the rights of farmers. JOHANNA ROHRER Johanna Rohrer is the daughter of Dudley and Beth Rohrer of Manheim, PA in Lancaster County. An honors graduate of Manheim Central High School, she was the FFA Youth Award recipient at the 2005 KILE. Currently a student at Penn State, Johanna is pursuing a degree in Agricultural Sciences with a dual minor in Leadership Development as well as Family and Youth Education. Her career goal is to obtain a position as a program coordinator within the agricultural sector in the area of youth development, but she is also considering a master s degree in Agricultural and Extension Education. At Penn State she is a member of the Collegiate Horsemen s Association, Collegiate FFA and a member of the 2008 Livestock Judging Team. A former member of the Manheim FFA chapter, she advanced to the American FFA degree level. She was an eleven year member of the Lancaster County 4-H Livestock Clubs showing sheep and swine and has been an exhibitor of bred and owned swine at KILE. She plans to continue breeding her flock of purebred polled Dorset ewes with the goal of selling breeding stock and returning to the show ring herself once she completes her education. Johanna has experienced the joy of showing champions as well as the frustration that comes when one of your best show animals suddenly dies, but she says these experiences, have better prepared me for the challenges I will face in the future. DARLA ROMBERGER Darla Romberger is the daughter of William and Kathleen Romberger of Hegins, PA in Schuylkill County. Darla was the recipient of the FFA Youth Award at last year s KILE and is a sister of Kayla who is receiving that award this year. She is a graduate of Tri-Valley High School and currently a student at Delaware Valley College with a dual major in Large Animal Science and Agriculture Education with a minor in Chemistry. Her career goal is to become an Agriculture Education teacher or to work as a Beef/Dairy Extension Specialist. In the future she may return to school for a master s degree. In high school Darla was active in FFA, band, soccer, national Honor Society and Who Who Among American High School Students. A former member of the Grassy Meadows 4-H club, she held leadership positions throughout her 4-H career. She was also very active in the Tri-Valley FFA and received the Keystone Degree in At Delaware Valley, she is involved in the Collegiate FFA, Block and Bridle, Dairy Society, and Educator s Club. Darla has exhibited Polled Hereford cattle and Boer Goats at local, regional, state and national shows including KILE. A member of St. James Lutheran Church, she is active in the youth group. Other community involvement includes the Tri-Valley Leo Club, Relay for Life team member and the 2008 Schuylkill County Fair Queen. Now that she is older and wiser she says she more fully understands her father s favorite saying that, You only get out of something exactly what you put into it. 6

7 Breed associations in which Luke is involved include the National Junior Swine Association, and National Junior Angus, Shorthorn and Red Angus Associations. He has shown his animals at local fairs, the PA Farm Show and KILE. In addition to working with the animals, Luke helps farm at his grandparent s farm as well as helping out at their country store. Luke s future plans are to attend Penn State to major in Agribusiness management and Education. It s evident that agriculture will continue to play a part in his future. Luke credits his 4-H experience with helping to mold him and make him into the person he is today. He goes so far as to say he bleeds green and white. KAYLA ROMBERGER Kayla Romberger is the daughter of William and Kathleen Romberger of Hegins, PA in Schuylkill County. She is a junior at Tri-Valley High School where she is a member of Tri-Valley FFA. This year she received the National Gold Medal for her Diversified Livestock Production-Entrepreneurship application. She is the only Gold recipient in Pennsylvania. Kayla s sister Darla received the FFA Youth Award at last year s KILE and is a recipient of the PLA Scholarship to be awarded at KILE this year. In her junior year in school, Kayla is a member of the Tri-Valley FFA. Her livestock projects include market steers, dairy beef and beef breeding which includes both Hereford and Angus breeds. As a result of showing a market goat last year, she decided that she would like to breed her own goats and that spawned a Boer goat breeding project. Dairy breeding rounds out her livestock projects. She also carries some of her animals as 4-H projects as a member of Grassy Meadows 4-H Club. In addition to her involvement in FFA, other school activities include Band, soccer, track and field, Leo Club, and the school newspaper. Kayla is also active in her community as a Relay for Life team member and volunteer for the Lions Club. She is a member of St. James Lutheran Church where she is active in the youth group. Livestock associations that she is a member of include the American and Junior Hereford Associations, Pennsylvania Holstein Association and the American Boer Goat Association. Kayla has laid out an ambitious plan for the future. After graduation she plans to attend Delaware Valley College to pursue a degree in Dairy Science and Agriculture Education with the career goal of either a secondary Agriculture Teacher or a job as a nutritionist. Further down the road, she hopes to have a Master s degree and have a small farmette with Hereford cattle and Boer goats. With her track record so far, it s easy to envision Kayla achieving all these goals and more. CALEB WRIGHT Caleb Wright is the son of James and Rebecca Wright of Alexandria, PA in Huntingdon County. A member of the Blue Juniata FFA, he is a 2009 graduate of Juniata Valley High School and is enrolled in the Animal Science program at Penn State. He received the Silver medal for his Sheep Production- Entrepreneurship application this year and received the Gold Mead in Caleb held several offices in FFA and participated in both dairy and livestock judging as well as attending the National FFA Convention. His livestock project focuses on Dorset sheep and he has been steadily increasing his flock since starting his enterprise in In addition to showing market lambs and breeding sheep locally, Caleb has shown at state and national shows including KILE. He also raises and shows Guernsey dairy cows. In addition to FFA, school activities include select chorus, marching band and National Honor Society. Professional Associations include the Continental Dorset club PA Dorset Breeders Association, and PA and American Guernsey Associations. Caleb hopes to be a state FFA officer which will mean taking a year off school, but he feels that it is important to give back to an organization that has give me so much. Volunteering at a local vet clinic inspired him to be a veterinarian and the long term goal of owning or being a partner in a vet clinic YEAR OF HORSE AT KILE 2009 featured the Year of the Horse at the Keystone International Livestock Exposition. During the Opening Ceremony held on Oct 1, the Percheron mare, Windermere s Diedra made an appearance and was recognized during the opening ceremonies. Being the nationally know mare that Diedra is, she awed the audience with her size, beauty and behavior. Diedra is the current World Champion Mare and has also won Supreme Championship in all sexes. This beautiful mare resides at Windermere Farms located in Spring Mills, PA. Windermere Farm was established in 1962 by Abraham & Mary Allebach and today continues operations in partnership with their son Gerald & his wife Melissa Allebach. The family s tradition is to breed, train, raise, and show quality 7 (Continued on page 8)

8 (Continued from page 7) Percheron Horses and quality draft ponies. Diedra was the Grand Champion Mare and Best of Breed during the 2009 show. Four other draft type breeds, the Haflinger, Clydesdale, Shire, and Belgian, performed during the Kile Horse Show. Due to the economic circumstances the horse numbers were slightly down from previous years, but those who did exhibit were the top of their breeds. All draft breeds demonstrated their skills in halter, performance and hitch classes along with two other light horse breeds that participated in the KILE. The Paso Fino and the Quarter Horse show displayed top quality horses in their respective breeds, performing in halter and performance classes such as trail, equitation, reining, driving, and pleasure classes. Exhibitors came from all over the United States and Canada to participate at the 2009 KILE. The 2010 KILE promises a bright future for the breeds of horses to be exhibited at the show with plans of offering shows for other breeds in upcoming years. Beginning with this issue, copies will be sent electronically to all those for whom I have an address. This will result in a big postage and printing savings and is in line with what most organizations are currently doing. If you have access and are receiving this in your mailbox, please send me your address for future issues. Thank you for helping PLA keep costs down. lsrankin@comcast.net 8 Pennsylvania Livestock Assn C/o Lois Rankin 77 South Ridge Road Spring Grove, PA