The Holstein Association and Foundation have been active in making awards this month.

Lolly Lesher, Bernville, Pa. has been named the 2005 Distinguished Alumni Leader of the Young Dairy Leaders Institute (YDLI) by the Holstein Foundation board of trustees. The award is presented annually to honor YDLI alumni leadership and contributions to the dairy industry. Other finalists included Paul Heins, Higginsville, Mo. and Marilyn Hershey, Cochranville, Pa.

Lesher and her husband, William, both YDLI Class 2 alumni, own a dairy farm in partnership with William’s parents. The farm includes a family-owned milk processing and retail facility which recently celebrated 35 years of operation.

In other Holstein Association USA announcements:

Holstein Association USA, Inc. announces the 2005 Fall Show Judi Collinsworth Outstanding Junior Exhibitor Memorial Award winners: Greta Koebel, Matt Mitchell and Esther Rupp. Since 1994, 108 outstanding Juniors have been presented this prestigious award named for Judi Collinsworth, the former Holstein Association Executive Director of Member and Industry Services who passed away in 1993 of cancer. Collinsworth was dedicated to improving and expanding Holstein youth programs and was a driving force behind increasing support for them.

Greta Koebel, Three Oaks, Mich., receives the Judi Collinsworth Award from Julie Drendel, Junior Advisory Committee member and John M. Meyer, Holstein Association USA, Inc.’s CEO at the International Junior Holstein Show at the World Dairy Expo.

Matt Mitchell, LaFollette, Tenn., receives the Judi Collinsworth Award from Emily Yeiser, Junior Advisory Committee member at the Premier National Junior Holstein Show at the All-American Dairy Show, Harrisburg, Pa.

Esther Rupp, Seville, Ohio, receives the Judi Collinsworth Award from Michele Lahmers, Junior Advisory Committee member and Perry Phend, Official Judge of Junior show at Grand National Junior Holstein Show at the North American International Livestock Expo, Louisville, Ky.