Nominate Young Individual With Exceptional Service to PA Dairy for Award

The Jan Harding Ruslavage Memorial Service & Promotion Award Recognizes Someone Between the Ages of 18 and 30.

If you know an individual between the ages of 18 and 30 who has demonstrated exceptional service to and promotion of Pennsylvania’s dairy industry, nominate them for the Jan Harding Ruslavage Memorial Service & Promotion Award by August 3, 2026. The award program was established in 2024 to honor the memory and distinguished service of Janet Harding Ruslavage to Pennsylvania’s dairy industry. The award will provide recognition and financial support to an outstanding young individual who has demonstrated a commitment to dairy service and promotion through the contributions they are making to enrich the future of Pennsylvania’s dairy industry.

“My mom was a promoter [for dairy] all of her life, and she was a role model for many young ladies over the years. She felt promotion and service to the industry was pretty important, and we are proud that this award recognizing exemplary service and promotion to the industry was established with donations from many folks across the industry,” said Jeff Harding on behalf of the Harding family.

Nominations can be submitted online at www.centerfordairyexcellence.org/janet-harding-ruslavage-award and are due by August 3, 2026. The winning individual will receive a $3,000 cash award and recognition at the annual Pennsylvania Dairy Princess State Pageant in September.

To qualify for this award, individuals must:

• Be a Pennsylvania resident
• Be between the ages of 18 and 30 years old
• Be a high school graduate and pursuing a career in or related to the dairy industry

Qualities of someone recognized through this award could include:

• Servant leadership attitude
• High level of integrity
• Helpful, friendly disposition
• Conscientious, tireless work ethic
• Compassionate, giving nature
• Strong passion for the dairy industry or specific aspect of dairy
• A demonstrated commitment to contributing to the industry in a positive way

Examples of ways the individual could be serving the industry include being actively involved in dairy promotion; serving in a leadership position in a dairy service or breed organization; building dairy awareness in their local community; serving in an advisory role for a dairy youth organization; contributing to research or education advancing the future of dairy; or in many other capacities. The committee will be looking for individuals who model the identified qualities.

Nominations for the Jan Harding Ruslavage Memorial Service & Promotion Award must be submitted by August 3, 2026. Individuals can be nominated through a self-nomination or by another individual who wishes to recognize their achievements in the industry.

To nominate an individual for this award, visit www.centerfordairyexcellence.org/janet-harding-ruslavage-award to submit it with up to three letters of support for the nominee. Contact Jayne Sebright at jsebright@centerfordairyexcellence.org or call 717-346-0849 with questions about the award.