Charlie Elrod, Ph.D., NEAFA Vice-President
The recent Dairy Day Recognition and Awards Ceremony at the New York State Fair was absolutely jam-packed with leaders from all facets of the New York dairy industry. Milk processors, dairy farmers and leaders from NYS Ag & Markets, Cornell CALS, PRO-Dairy, New York Farm Bureau, Northeast Dairy Producers Association and the Northeast Agribusiness and Feed Alliance were all in attendance to recognize the amazing people who produce milk and those who turn it into the greatest and most innovative dairy products in the world. Awards for every category of dairy product known to man were handed out during the celebration.
Of special note this year was the PRO-Dairy Agriservice Award presented to Tonya Van Slyke by Tom Overton and Karl Czymmek of PRO-Dairy and Commissioner Richard Ball of NYS Ag & Markets. These awards are given each year in appreciation and recognition of outstanding contributions to the dairy industry. While I’ve been aware of Tonya and her work in the dairy industry for many years, it’s only in the last two years that I’ve come to really appreciate the energy, dedication and professionalism she brings to her work on behalf of the dairy industry.
Tonya has been the Executive Director and then Executive Vice-President of the Northeast Dairy Producers Association for 12 years. She is not a leader who seeks out the limelight, but rather works to develop her knowledge on the topics of importance to the NEDPA members. For NEDPA, this has covered the gamut from environmental regulations, labor law, farm-worker safety, animal welfare, unionization of farm labor, milk markets, immigration, and regulation around CDL licenses. Whatever the topic, Tonya organizes the appropriate collaborators, provides the context and agenda and is the first one out with summary notes from the meeting. In other words, Tonya shows up day in and day out for the dairy industry of NY and the Northeast. Jenny and I are very thankful for the opportunity to collaborate so closely with Tonya and the other leaders of NEDPA and NY Farm Bureau. Congratulations, Tonya!