A22-Lanca?tor Farming, Saturday, April 29, 1995 DHIA Pa.DHIA Welcomes New Technicians DAVID BIGELOW Training Coordinator UNIVERSITY PARK (Centre Co.) Pa.DHIA welcomes two new employees, Renee Miller and Kevin Rickert. Renee Miller serves Westmore land County and part of Fayette County. Rickert’s service area inlcudes all of Beaver and parts of Lawrence and Washington coun ties, currently with 26 herds. The agriculture industry is no stranger to Miller. Growing up in the Westmoreland County area, Renee had the opportunity to join several 4-H clubs. The dairy, horse and market lamb 4-H clubs gave her the opportunity to express her self in the things that she enjoyed most our of life. One of the most noted accom plishments in Renee’s life is being on the 1989 Dairy Bowl state championship team. That team went on to be ranked third in the nation. She graduated from Ligonier Valley Senior High School in 1990. After graduation from high school, Renee went onto Penn State University’s Fayette Campus where she majored in dairy animal science. Her hobbies include horseback riding, hunting, fishing, riding motorcycles and working with animals. Some things that Renee likes most about working for Pa.DHIA are being able to meet so many nice people as she completes her circuit each month. Being able to work closely with an industry that is so close to her heart is certainly a great opportunity. Kevin Rickert completed his Pa.DHIA technician studies at the field training seminar in February. Rickert graduated from Lawrence County Vocational- Technical School in 1983. Some of his work experience includes working in construction, working in a sawmill and working part time on a dairy farm. His hobbies are gardening, play ing steel guitar and raising young heifers. We know the ambition and enthusiasm that Kevin has to offer will sure be an asset. We invite the dairy industry to welcome both these people as part of the team. -* Please feel free to contact Pa.DHIA at (800) 344-8378. if we can be of any assistance in your dairy operation. i, <• •» 4 » L,** • ' * ! v *•• i-. #t a Renee Miller . _ „ ®cu -are, from the left, front row. Lane Sollenberger, president, Bill Jackson, vice president, Neal McCulloch, secret ary, and Dale Hoover, treasurer. From the left, back row, Is John Wilcox, director at anofher yesr* 0 * ® m * r ’ * 9a# * w *lo la to continue on the committee tor Pa.DHIA Announces Regional Seminars UNIVERSITY PARK (Centre Co.) The Pennsylvania Dairy Herd Improvement Association (PB.DHIA) has announced a series of regional seminars set to run May IS through May 19 at various loca tions throughout the slate. The deadline for reserving a place at a seminar is May S. To register, those invited to attend are asked to indicate which seminar they would like to attend and to fax a response to Pa.DHIA at (814) 86S-3924. According to Pa.DHIA, the seminars are primarily designed for dairy veterinarians, nutrition ists and extension agents. A letter from Dave Slusser, Board Of Directors Reorganizes (Osiitlnußd from Peg* All) Finance and Personnel Commit tee, as well as serving on the Pa.DHIA-Mideast Study Group. In 1994, Sollenberger was elected to serve a secretary of the state board. William Jackson, of Fayette County was elected vice president during the reorgan izational meet ing, while Dale Hoover, of Leba non County was named treasurer, and Neal McCulloch, of Cumber land County, was named secretary. Also elected to serve on die The members of the 1995 Pa.DHIA Board of Directors are, from the left, frot , row, Lane Sollenberger, Bill Jackson, Neal McCulloch, Dale Hoover, John Wilcox, and Frank Orner. From the left, second row, are John Castrogiavanni, Mark Eby, Brooks Smith, Luke Rebuck, and Marian Butler. From the left in the back row are Bill Itle, Steve Mowry, John Brodzina, Ralph Gilkinson, Don Duncan, Norm Hershey, and George Cudoc. Pa.DHIA manager, and James Boyer, processing center manager, sent out this week announcing the seminars, states that, “Difficult economic circumstances and sharp competition at a time of diminish ing extension resources have dri ven the increasing demand for closer cooperation between DHIA and veterinarian practitioner, nutritionists, and other agribusi ness consultants. “Because your vision for the future is important to us, Pennsyl vania DHIA will be sponsoring a number of regional meetings ....” According to the letter, dated Wednesday, a number of topics may be discussed during the semi- board’s Executive Committee were John Wilcox, from Bradford County, who is to serve as a director-at-large. Past president Frank Omer, of Clearfield County, was also asked to serve for another year on the committee. Norm Hershey, of Lancaster County, was elected chairman of the Pa.DHIA Retirement Committee. Other directors of the 1995 board include BUI Ide, of Cambria County: Steve Mowry, Bedford * nars. Six questions are asked in the letter concerning the topics. “Are you or your clients inter ested in milk urea nitrogen testing? How frequently? What percentage of a herd should be tested? “Would you be interested in par ticipating in a Northeast Resources Consortium sponsored by DHIA, that would facilitate marketing advertising and communication between dairy industry supporters and clients via the internet or other electronic means? “As Pa.DHIA’s ARIS program enters its second decade, how should it be changed to meet your needs? “As PaJDHIA gaint maturity in the on-farm computing business, how can those systems and prog rams be designed to support practi tioners and agribusiness consultants? “As the land grant universities* role in education and support dimi- County; John Biodzina, of Hun tingdon County; Ralph GiUdnson, of Erie County; Don Duncan, of Beiks County; George Cudoc, of Butler County; John Castrogia vanni, of Susquehanna County; Mark Eby, of Sullivan County; Brooks Smith, of Perry County; Luke Rebuck, of Northumberland County; Marian Butler, of Tioga County; and Bill Jackson, of Pay ette County. For more information, contacts local director, or call Pa.DHIA at (814) 865-1517. nishes. what can DHIA do to enhance its function as an educa tor? Should DHIA hold tegular, regional workshops for consul tants? On what topics? Traditional records programs? Hands-on com puter training? “What steps can DHIA take to insure that its support community remains ‘plugged in, ’ and apprised of new developments and con sulted throughout the design process?” All seminars are set to run from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The dates and locations of the seminars are May IS, Howard Johnson’s, in Mercer; May 16. at the Arena Restaurant in Bedford; May 17, at Crosskeyi Restaurant, in New Oxford; May 18, at the Holiday Inn, in Morgan town; and May 19 at the Pi* Apple Restaurant, Tunkhannock. ftr more information, call (814) 865-1517.