MARYLAND HOLSTEIN ASSOCIATION |
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| Janice Swanson, left, chairwoman of the Department of Animal Science at Michigan State University, presented the 2013 Dairy Farmer of the Year Away to Bruce and Jennifer Lewis, of Jonesville, Mich. |
WESTMINSTER, Md. -- Donna Reese, who served as secretary-treasurer of the Maryland Holstein Association for 14 years, was publically thanked and honored last Friday evening, March 8, at the closing banquet of the Maryland Holstein Association’s annual convention. She was presented with the Association’s Distinguished Service Award.
Donna, who resides in the Westminster area, was not born into farming. She grew up in Philadelphia and moved to Carroll County, her Mom’s home county, after her father's death when she was 15. While in high school she worked at her grandfather's family grocery store in Uniontown. After graduating from Francis Scott Key High School, she married a grain farmer and started her family.
Wanting to be a stay-at-home mom, Donna applied for the Maryland Holstein secretary-treasurer position.
Anita Hill, who was retiring from the position, graciously showed Donna the ropes of the job and she took the responsibilities and charged forward. “She has done an outstanding job and any board member will attest to Donna's diligence and competence in getting the work of the Association done efficiently and correctly,” noted former Maryland Holstein President Donna Myers in a prepared statement. “She more often than not did the work of committee chairmen, making sure deadlines were met and reports filed. She traveled the state attending county meetings and shows in her endeavor to keep the membership informed on the activities of the state association.
“She has gone far above and beyond the job description of secretary-treasurer of Maryland Holstein. She looks forward to continuing her service to Maryland Holstein by her membership on the program and development, futurity and budget and finance committees,” Myers noted.
Donna is deeply involved with her church, where she serves as a deaconess, church financial secretary, budget and finance committee, Children's Church leader and Wednesday night youth leader. She has previously served on the FSK Alumni Committee, and serves as a Carroll County 4-H volunteer, helping with committees during the fair.
Donna also serves as treasurer of her home grain operation, Broadview Farms, Inc. where she and husband Jack operate with Jack's brother, Chuck. Donna and Jack's sons, Josh and Eric, are full time employees of the operation and daughter, Nicki, helps with field work when available.
One of Donna's greatest joys is her 2-year old granddaughter, McKenzie, the daughter of Eric and Audrey. Josh is newly married to Jen, and daughter Nicki is pursuing a career in nursing.
“Maryland Holstein was very blessed in having Donna Reese serve the organization as secretary treasurer. We thank her for her outstanding service,” concluded Donna Myers.