Bender, Goodling, Hartzell, Hershey, Mowrer, and Westrick Recently Filled Open Board Positions
The Center for Dairy Excellence and Dairy Excellence Foundation recently welcomed six dairy professionals to the organizations’ Board of Directors. The Center for Dairy Excellence Board of Directors guide the work of the non-profit 501c6 organization, which fosters collaboration across the industry and provides resources to strengthen Pennsylvania dairy farms. The Dairy Excellence Foundation Board of Directors guide the work of the 501c3 charitable organization focused on cultivating and empowering dairy’s next generation.
Carissa Itle Westrick, a dairy processor from Cambria County Pa., was elected to the Center for Dairy Excellence Board during the December 2024 Board meeting. Westrick filled an open position, which was vacated by Chuck Turner who reached the two-consecutive term maximum set by the organization’s bylaws.
Westrick is the Director of Business Development for her family farm, Vale Wood Farms in Loretto, Pennsylvania. Vale Wood Farms is an integrated multi-generational dairy business. This family farm processes milk from their cows into dairy products that they deliver directly to customers. Additionally, they host thousands of visitors for their many farm and community events. Westrick serves on the Pennsylvania Association of Milk Dealers Board, co-chairs the Cambria County Chamber of Commerce Agriculture Committee, and is a Trustee of Penn Highlands Community College. Before returning to the family farm, she gained invaluable experience working for the National Milk Producers Federation in Arlington, Virginia. Westrick and her husband, Ryan, have two children in college.
“The Center for Dairy Excellence unifies the Pennsylvania dairy industry. The Center focuses on providing resources for producers on animal health and other pressing issues, identifying industry opportunities, and celebrating PA dairy farms,” Westrick said. “This focus on industry unity has allowed the Center to become a respected voice of reason in many dairy discussions. I’m proud to lend my time and effort to the board.”
Erica Mowrer, a dairy producer from Mowrer Farms in Huntingdon County, Pa., also joined the Center for Dairy Excellence Board during the December 2024 Board meeting. Mowrer filled an open position, which was vacated by Amanda Biddle.
Mowrer resides on Mowrer Farms, a seventh-generation dairy, with husband Nathan and two children, Madison and Luke. The farm milks 400 cows and farms 1,700 acres to raise crops for feed. Mowrer spent 14 years teaching agriculture and business in Huntingdon County. She is currently employed with the Central Pennsylvania Food Bank as the Senior Agriculture Acquisition Manager and is proud to work with one of the largest fresh milk programs in any food bank across the country. In this role, she woks with PA farmers to become a part of their risk management plan while ensuring fresh, healthy foods are available to those in need. Mowrer also serves on the PA Holstein Youth Committee, volunteers with the Huntingdon County Junior Holstein Association, and serves as Livestock Superintendent for the Huntingdon County Fair.
“I agreed to join the Center’s Board because I feel it is important to bring a producer perspective to the board meetings and to the programs that are developed and implemented by the Center. As a lifelong learner and educator, I believe it is important to share our programs with current producers,” Mowrer said. “As the mother of a potential eight-generation dairy farmer, I am also passionate about empowering the dairy industry through times of change and transition so we may preserve it for the future.”
Rob Goodling, an ag business consultant at Horizon Farm Credit, joined the Center for Dairy Excellence Board of Directors for a second term, after serving his first term during the Center’s early years. Goodling filled an open position that was vacated by Mike Hosterman who reached the organization’s two-consecutive term maximum.
Goodling is an agricultural business consultant with Horizon Farm Credit in the Lewisburg office. Rob has over 20 years of experience helping producers understand their farm business records and analyses to grow their operations. His specialties include financial business analysis, cost of production analysis, cash flow planning and budgeting, QuickBooks consultation and troubleshooting, transition planning, dairy record evaluation, and team facilitation.
“I joined the Center’s Board of Directors for a second term as I see great value in the mission and objectives the Center serves. It is vital to the long-term success of Pennsylvania’s dairy industry to have an organization that can bring all facets of our industry together – including producers, industry representatives, and processors – to address those broad challenges and help deliver a collective voice,” Goodling shared.
Kathy Hartzell, a dairy producer from Hartzell Farm in Butler County, Pa., was the fourth individual to join the Center’s Board of Directors during the December 2024 meeting. She filled an open position that was vacated by Caroline Zimmerman who reached the organization’s two-consecutive term maximum.
Hartzell is part of Hartzell Farm, a family-owned dairy operation, with her husband George. They have three children and six grandchildren. Hartzell worked for Farm Credit for 40 years and over her long career, she served as an agri-businesses loan officer, collection officer, appraiser, tax preparer, and branch manager. She has been involved in her community’s local Holstein Club and served as a 4-H leader. She is also actively involved with her church and other agricultural organizations. Hartzell has served on the PA Dairy Princess and Promotion Services Board (PDPPS) for 12 years and serves as Treasurer.
“I’m very passionate about supporting the Pennsylvania dairy industry and fostering the growth of the future. I was very honored to be asked to join the Board of Directors and to give back,” Hartzell said.
The Center’s Board of Directors must agree to serve a three-year term and may be re-elected for an additional term. The Board was developed to represent multiple aspects of the dairy industry, with seats for dairy farmers, allied industry professionals, marketing cooperative employees, veterinarians, retail representatives, processor representatives, and members from the Pennsylvania General Assembly.
One of the new members elected to the Dairy Excellence Foundation’s Board of Directors is Dr. Joseph Bender, Associate Professor of Clinical Dairy Production Medicine at the Center for Animal Health and Productivity at the University of Pennsylvania School Of Veterinary Medicine – New Bolton Center. Dr. Bender filled an open position that was vacated by Rachel Cloninger.
Dr. Bender received his Bachelor’s degree in biology from the University of Findlay in 2003 and his Doctor of Veterinary Medicine and Master’s Degree (Preventive Medicine) from Iowa State University in 2010. Since arriving at PennVet in 2013, Dr. Bender’s area of concentration is providing on-farm consultation to dairy farmers throughout Pennsylvania to improve production and profitability. Dr. Bender’s service, research, and teaching focuses on animal health economics, reproduction, and dairy nutrition. Dr. Bender was raised and currently resides in Landisville, PA with his wife Alison, and son Alden.
“Serving on the Foundation Board of Directors is an opportunity to contribute my skills, experience, and passion to help shape the future of PA dairy. Former board members who I respect and trust speak highly of the Dairy Excellence Foundation’s mission,” Dr. Bender said. “I am looking forward to driving strategic growth, fostering innovation, and helping to ensure long-term success for PA dairy.”
Duane Hershey, a dairy producer from Ar-Joy Farms in Chester County, Pa., also joined the Dairy Excellence Foundation Board during the December 2024 meeting. Hershey filled an open position, which was vacated by Walt Moore who reached the two-consecutive term maximum set by the organization’s bylaws.
Hershey manages Ar-Joy Farms, a second-generation dairy operation, with his wife, Marilyn, and has been farming his entire life. Their farm has a methane digester and accepts food waste that they turn into electricity. Hershey is the Chairman of the Township Supervisors for West Fallowfield Township. He also served 12 years on his local school board, and he was on the Land O’Lakes Board of Directors for nine years.
“At this stage of my career, I’ve been helped by many producers and industry professionals in the business. If I can give back a little bit in some way, I’m really interested in that,” Hershey said. “The momentum that the Dairy Excellence Foundation has gained, and continues to gather, is exciting to me.”
More information about both organizations’ Board of Directors can be found at www.centerfordairyexcellence.org.