This year’s annual meeting was held November 12^th at the Weyers Cave Community Center in Augusta County.  The morning started with the Junior activities.  The 4-H dairy judging team set up a silent auction to raise money for their trip to Europe next summer.  They also sold Christmas cards and auctioned off the table centerpieces.  The Juniors held their public speaking contest, annual membership meeting, dairy jeopardy and dairy bowl contests.

The adult activities began with the annual membership meeting called to order by President Matt Nuckols.  Reports were presented and directors from all the districts were elected.  The new President in Lois Skeen, Secretary-Treasurer Margie Ann Dick, Public Director Barbara Clary.  An awards luncheon started at noon after a milk toast was given by alternate dairy princess, Esther Smith of Rockingham county.  The Meritorious Service award was presented to Barbara Clary and James Cook, the co-chairpersons for the National Holstein convention held in Richmond.  They put a lot of time and hard work into planning and coordinating the committees for the convention.  A lot of attendees commended all those who contributed to the success of the convention.  Award sponsors, Riley and Barbara Wagner presented them each with a clock plaque award.

The All-Virginia and Junior All-Virginia Awards were presented and Cassidy Lam presented her junior prepared speech, “Raw milk vs. Pasteurized milk.”  The Junior scholarship was awarded to Liz Leonard.  The Junior officers will be President, Liz Leonard, Vice President Ben Smith, Secretary Hayley Potts, Treasurer Cole Leonard, Reporter Davey Hardesty.  They presented Carol McComb a gift for all her hard work and contributions to the Junior Holstein Association.

Progressive Genetics Herd Award recipients: Mar-Bil Farms, James Cook, Eastview Farm, Melvin Ronk, Monta Vista, Inc., Early Dawn Dairy, Belair Dairy LLC, Beery Farms Inc.,Byard Rohrer, Allen Layman, Alvis Farm LLC, Riggs & Stiles Inc, Cherry Grove Farm of Fairfield Inc., Seth and Ruth Jamison, Virginia Tech Foundation, Kenneth Smith, Robert Stoots.