The Marcus Zook & Family of Mifflin, Pennsylvania Named for Outstanding Animal Care and Farm Conservation Practices
(RESTON, Va., October 30, 2019) Congratulations to Maryland & Virginia Milk Producers Cooperative members Marcus Zook and family from Mifflin, Pennsylvania for being named as Producer of the Year for District 2. Marcus and his three sons work the farm, together they farm 300 acres.
The Zooks milk 74 cows in a stanchion barn. They raise their own replacement heifers in a bedded pack barn. Demonstrating outstanding practices, the Zooks are dedicated to animal care and cow comfort. The herd is out on pasture, weather permitting, and the barn features mattresses with dry shavings for bedding. Marcus and his family breed registered Holsteins and are active in their local Holstein association as well as the Pennsylvania Holstein Association. They enjoy hosting farm tours though the Holstein associations.
“Animal care is important to our customers, consumers, and farmers,” said Jay Bryant, CEO. “We’re proud of the Zook’s attention to detail and cow comfort which shows in their quality milk and healthy animals.” The Zooks are excellent stewards of the land they farm, their calves and cows and their dairy facilities. They have implemented a conservation plan that includes no-till farming, buffer areas and strip field cropping. Congratulations to the Zook Family for their outstanding commitment to animal care and conservation.
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About the District Producer of the Year Awards:
Maryland & Virginia Milk Producers Cooperative presents the District Producer of the Year award to a member farm in each of its five regional districts. The awards are given to members for their outstanding commitment to continuous improvement and to advancing dairy sustainability and industry leadership. First awarded in 2019, the District Producers of the Year will be considered for the cooperative’s top honor, Producer of the Year, at the cooperative’s annual meeting in March 2020.
Contact: Lindsay Reames, 804-370-4324
