Congratulations to George Cashell for being named the winner of the 2009 Obie Award, the top honor of the All-American Dairy Show. The award was established in memory of Obie Snider of Bedford County, a founding father of the All-American Dairy Show. It recognizes an individual who places significant value in service to the industry and community and displays high standards of conduct.
Cashell, of Shippensburg, is a life-long member of the dairy community and a 25-year employee of Dairy One Inc., Syracuse, N.Y. A Maryland native, Cashell began dairy farming in the 1960s and moved to Franklin County in 1973 where he farmed for the next 25 years before joining DHIA. He has served on many Franklin County 4-H and fair committees and held numerous offices in county and state Holstein associations, dedicating significant time to the junior programs.
The Cashells exhibited at the All-American Dairy Show in the 1970s and 1980s. In 1988, he was asked to help assign exhibitor stalls and named Dairy Cattle Floor Manager, a position he still holds. He is also on the Pennsylvania Dairy & Allied Industries Association board of directors—the group that guides the show.
Known as the voice of the Eastern National Holstein Show, Cashell has been announcing the show for more than 10 years. He also announces the Pennsylvania Holstein Fall Championship show during the All-American, as well as many local and county shows.
A gifted fundraiser, Cashell and his wife Diane have helped raise funds for several youth scholarships, programs and shows. The Cashells coordinated two successful youth benefit auctions that raised more than $50,000 to support the Premier National Junior Events at the All-American Dairy Show. He was also part of the team who helped establish a foundation for the national junior event.
“The All-American is a Cashell family tradition, and although I enjoy all aspects of the show, the youth are the most important to me,” Cashell said. “They are the future of the dairy industry and the All-American Dairy Show.”