Maryland & Virginia Milk Producers Cooperative Association (MDVA) recognized 11 members for 25 years of membership to the cooperative during their recent annual District Meetings.
“We congratulate these outstanding 25-year members on their dedication and commitment to Maryland & Virginia,” said MDVA Executive Vice President of Sustainability and External Relations Lindsay Reames. “Members that arrive at such distinct milestones prove to our customers that our supply chain is robust and can provide for their needs for many years into the future.”
Bowmont Dairy Farm of Boones Mill, VA
Bowmont Farms in Boones Mill, Virginia, is co-owned and operated by Laird Bowman, his wife, Sarah Ann, and daughter, Joanna Shipp. The family keeps this sixth and seventh generation farm working, milking more than 200 cows on 600 acres of land. Two hundred fifty acres of woodland accompany the dairy which helps sequester additional carbon, making the operation more sustainable.
Eldon and Susan Martin of Newville, PA
Eldon and Susan Martin started their dairy farm in 1997. While Eldon is not from a dairy farm, Susan’s family had a dairy farm. They milk 40 cows in a tie-stall barn. They grow corn, alfalfa, and beans on 85 acres of owned and rented land.
Michael and Julie McCuller and Family of Union Bridge, MD
The McCuller family milks 100 cows on their 250-acre farm in Union Bridge, Maryland. Mike is a third generation dairy farmer who hopes the farm extends to the fourth generation via his children. Animal care is a top priority of the farm as they have many cows that have had 8 to 10 calves.
Piedmont Dairy of Wirtz, VA
Second generation farmer Daniel Layman and his son, Jason, milk 110 cows and farm 350 acres of corn and soybeans.
Silver Knoll Holsteins of Hagerstown, MD
Silver Knoll Holsteins is a family operation established in 1965 by Dennis Spielman. With the help of his daughters, their spouses, and numerous grandchildren, everyone pitches in to help with all the farm work. Dennis’ late wife, Debora, who passed away in 2021, was an integral part of the farm and is deeply missed. It’s evident Dennis’ love for farming has been passed on to his daughters and grandchildren. Recently the farm expanded beyond Holsteins to colored breeds thanks to Dennis’ grandsons David and Matthew. The 50-cow herd is milked in a flat barn and the family raises about another 50 replacement heifers. They farm 140 tillable acres of corn, alfalfa and small grains and have another 50 acres of pasture.
Also recognized for 25 years of membership were:
- Robert Diller of Waynesboro, PA
- Elmer Fisher of Peach Bottom, PA
- David and Sarah King of Lancaster, PA
- Keverl Holsteins of Centreville, MD
- John Miller and Family of Oxford, PA
- Wingert Brothers of Mercersburg, PA
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About Maryland & Virginia Milk Producers Cooperative
Maryland & Virginia Milk Producers Cooperative is a community of more than 900 dairy farm families in 11 states passionate about cultivating dairy goodness and bottling fresh Maola brand milk and dairy products. Our farmer-owned cooperative owns five dairy processing plants that process more than three billion pounds of milk annually. Our diverse portfolio of dairy products are then distributed to consumers in the United States and ingredients customers worldwide. Our cooperative is a leader in sustainability, partnering across the supply chain to deliver sustainable solutions to our member farms. We take pride in supporting the educational and nutritional needs of the communities in our milkshed through our MDVA Fund. For more information about Maryland & Virginia, visit www.mdvamilk.com.
Contact: Amanda Culp
