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2022 SPECIAL SESSION I


HOUSE RESOLUTION NO. 656
Commending Harvue Farms.

 

Agreed to by the House of Delegates, June 1, 2022

 

WHEREAS, Harvue Farms, a family-owned dairy farm in Berryville, was selected as the 2022 Producer of the Year by the Maryland & Virginia Milk Producers Cooperative Association; and

WHEREAS, Harvue Farms has been a member of the Maryland & Virginia Milk Producers Cooperative Association, a farmer-owned cooperative representing more than 900 family farms in 10 states, since the farm was established in 1950; and

WHEREAS, Harvue Farms is currently operated by third-generation and fourth-generation members of the Hardesty family, with day-to-day operations managed by David and Debbie Hardesty and their son and daughter-in-law Matt and Ashley Hardesty, as well as multiple full-time staff members; and

WHEREAS, Harvue Farms milks a herd of 260 registered Holsteins and grows corn, triticale, rye grass, and hay on more than 750 acres of land; the farm puts a high value on the health and wellness of their animals, and many live past their national average expected age due to the exceptional care provided by the Hardesty family; and

WHEREAS, Harvue Farms has advocated for other dairy producers and family farms at the local and state levels and maintains a strong partnership with the local 4-H, offering a leasing program for 4-H members unable to raise cows on their own property; and

WHEREAS, Harvue Farms continues to innovate and seek new ways to serve its customers; for the past two years, the farm has produced various cheeses that are sold to local stores, breweries, and wineries, as well as in farmers markets; and

WHEREAS, Harvue Farms earned the Producer of the Year award for its outstanding farm management, care for the environment, and contributions to the community; and

WHEREAS, Harvue Farms previously earned the Elite Breeders of the Year award from the Holstein Association USA, and Harvue Farms cows have won many accolades at shows across the country, including Supreme Champion awards at the World Dairy Expo in 2009 and 2010; and

WHEREAS, Harvue Farms received the Producer of the Year award at the Maryland & Virginia Milk Producers Cooperative Association’s 2022 annual meeting, held at the Turf Valley Resort in Ellicott City, Maryland; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, That Harvue Farms hereby be commended for winning the Maryland & Virginia Milk Producers Cooperative Association Producer of the Year Award in 2022; and, be it

RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to Harvue Farms as an expression of the House of Delegates’ admiration for the farm’s achievements and contributions to the community.