Congratulations to Austin Schwartzbeck of Union Bridge, Md. He has been named the Holstein Association USA’s 2012 Overall Judi Collinsworth Outstanding Junior Exhibitor Award recipient.
The Collinsworth Award is presented annually in honor of former Holstein Executive Director of Member and Industry Services, Judi Collinsworth. The award recognizes youths’ work and involvement with Holstein cattle and dairy activities. Recipients are selected based on sportsmanship, herdsmanship and level of participation in Holstein activities. Schwartzbeck is the ninth youth to receive this honor, and receives a $500 scholarship.
Schwartzbeck received the Collinsworth Award at the 2012 Premier National Junior Holstein Show in Harrisburg, Pa., where he has been an exhibitor for several years. The 21-year-old son of Gus and Lisa Schwartzbeck has enjoyed being involved on his family’s Peace and Plenty Farm his entire life, in all aspects of the operation. Austin says his life’s passion is breeding and exhibiting Registered Holstein cattle, and his ultimate goal is to pass the farm on to the fifth generation of farmers in his family.
Austin has been a very active member of both the Maryland and National Junior Holstein Associations, participating in a wide range of Junior Holstein activities. He has competed in both dairy bowl and dairy jeopardy at the state and national levels, and has received many accolades through the years, including Junior breeder of an Excellent cow, 2007 national Young Distinguished Junior Member finalist, and 2010 National Distinguished Junior Member semifinalist. He currently represents Area 1 on the National Junior Holstein Advisory committee.
Schwartzbeck is currently a junior at Virginia Polytechnic Institute & State University, where he is studying dairy science. At college he is a member and has held leadership positions with the Dairy Club and Alpha Gamma Rho fraternity. He judged for Virginia Tech at the 2011 National Intercollegiate Dairy Judging Contest at World Dairy Expo, where he was the ninth high individual, helping the team to an impressive second place finish.
Source: Holstein Association USA