Foundation Honors Max Smith
Submitted by Editor on Fri, 01/22/2010 - 3:37pm.
Michelle Kunjappu
Reporter
LANCASTER, Pa. — Organizers worked hard to set the stage for a night to celebrate Max Smith’s contribution to agriculture, and Tuesday evening’s program at Lancaster’s Farm and Home Center did not disappoint.
Besides the larger-than-usual crowd who showed up for the 46th annual meeting of the Farm and Home Foundation of Lancaster County, three guest speakers, two standing ovations, a commendation from Lancaster’s mayor, and a powerpoint presentation left no doubt that Lancaster producers are grateful for Smith, 44-year Lancaster extension agent veteran.
Nearly 200 people came to Tuesday night’s annual meeting to honor the 94-year-old Smith. Chet Hughes, livestock extension educator who filled Smith’s position after Smith retired in 1981, described him as “one of Lancaster County’s most cherished agriculture friends.”
Perhaps one of the things he is most remembered for is his work with 4-H’ers and the Red Rose Beef Club which, by 1958, boasted 176 members. From 1940 to 1980, Smith guided 4-H’ers to a cumulative 16 grand champion and 15 reserve champion titles at the Farm Show.
Smith was instrumental in the establishment and completion of the Farm and Home Center building, which houses offices of many agriculture- and home-related organizations and, when it opened its doors in 1968, was the first of its kind in the nation.
Smith also introduced Dairy Day in 1950, Cattle Feeders Day in 1970, a soil testing television spot, and a weekly newspaper column offering timely farming advice — “Now is the Time” which is still written weekly by the current Lancaster County extension director and published in Lancaster Farming. He helped to establish a trust fund for student scholarships and remains active with the board and scholarship committees, as well as serving as the honorary chairman of the recent capital campaign.
Former extension director in Adams County, Tom Piper, who met Smith in 1953 at a livestock field day, was a guest speaker during the evening.
“I was reminded of Max Smith last week as I was walking through the Farm Show, and I thought of the emphasis that he put on youth and developing 4-H leaders,” Piper said.
Smith and Piper crossed paths often during their careers, said Piper, and “I was most impressed with the example he has been to all extension personnel across the state,” said Piper. “I hope you may continue to motivate to greatness those who work in this Lancaster County facility in the years to come.”
Another guest speaker was dairyman Elvin Hess, who joined the Lancaster County 4-H Holstein Club — a club Max founded — when Hess was 10 years old.
Later, Hess worked with Smith for 37 years as a 4-H leader in the Red Rose 4-H Baby Beef Club. “Max put in a lot of time and energy into the 4-H program,” said Hess. “He was a .800good organizer and planner of many successful events.”
Hess mentioned that “during the year Max managed a visit to every 4-H club member,” where he scored the calves and the members’ record books.
“With over 150 members, that took a lot of his time and dedication,” Hess said.
Besides attending every county show, at 4-H County Roundup Smith would select about 30 steers to go on to Farm Show competition, where “he spent the week helping Lancaster County come home with many grand champions over the years,” Hess said.
“Max never had children of his own, but had many hundreds of kids who under his wing learned some of the great lessons in life through the knowledge, time, talent and energy he put forth,” said Hess.
Angus producer Fred Frey, who was on one of Smith’s first judging teams, reiterated Hess’s sentiment about the respect 4-H’ers had for Smith.
“When Max asked you to do something, you didn’t say no,” said Frey. “He was very straightforward and honest.
“What he taught me about cattle I passed onto my children and grandchildren and is it showing up today,” said Frey, whose granddaughter won the supreme champion bull title during recent Farm Show competition.
“I lost my father about the time you came on, and you were a father figure to me,” Frey said.
Smith himself had a chance to address the crowd during the evening, and took the opportunity to thank the board for naming the auditorium at the Farm and Home Center after him.
“I can’t think of another property or building that I would be more pleased to have my name on,” he said. “Each time it is renovated it gets more beautiful and useful.”
He fondly remembered his work with youth. “My experience showed that often for those youngsters 4-H was a like a stepstone to bigger and more powerful things.”
Also, “I liked to work with youngsters because they kept me young,” he said.
During an open microphone time, several people stood up to thank Smith for his influence in their lives.
Smith never hesitated to put in that extra time to help and guide and “make a champion for you,” said Clyde Brubaker, Hampshire sheep breeder and former judging team member under Smith.
Larry Weaver, Farm Show assistant director, noted that if Smith “had not had me under your wing at the Farm Show, I wouldn’t be working there today.”
Alan Bair, director of dairy industry relations at Penn State and former extension agent who worked with Smith, said Smith’s influence goes far beyond the county.
“You’re an inspiration to county agents across the state and even nationwide,” Bair said.
During the foundation’s business meeting, Linda Armstrong, building manager, discussed how the renovations have boosted the building’s volume of use.
She reported 1,081 meetings during the last fiscal year — an average of 90 meetings per month.
More than 61,000 people attended meetings in the facility last year.
Michelle KunjappuReporter
LANCASTER, Pa. — Organizers worked hard to set the stage for a night to celebrate Max Smith’s contribution to agriculture, and Tuesday evening’s program at Lancaster’s Farm and Home Center did not disappoint.
Besides the larger-than-usual crowd who showed up for the 46th annual meeting of the Farm and Home Foundation of Lancaster County, three guest speakers, two standing ovations, a commendation from Lancaster’s mayor, and a powerpoint presentation left no doubt that Lancaster producers are grateful for Smith, 44-year Lancaster extension agent veteran.
Nearly 200 people came to Tuesday night’s annual meeting to honor the 94-year-old Smith. Chet Hughes, livestock extension educator who filled Smith’s position after Smith retired in 1981, described him as “one of Lancaster County’s most cherished agriculture friends.”
Perhaps one of the things he is most remembered for is his work with 4-H’ers and the Red Rose Beef Club which, by 1958, boasted 176 members. From 1940 to 1980, Smith guided 4-H’ers to a cumulative 16 grand champion and 15 reserve champion titles at the Farm Show.
Smith was instrumental in the establishment and completion of the Farm and Home Center building, which houses offices of many agriculture- and home-related organizations and, when it opened its doors in 1968, was the first of its kind in the nation.
Smith also introduced Dairy Day in 1950, Cattle Feeders Day in 1970, a soil testing television spot, and a weekly newspaper column offering timely farming advice — “Now is the Time” which is still written weekly by the current Lancaster County extension director and published in Lancaster Farming. He helped to establish a trust fund for student scholarships and remains active with the board and scholarship committees, as well as serving as the honorary chairman of the recent capital campaign.
Former extension director in Adams County, Tom Piper, who met Smith in 1953 at a livestock field day, was a guest speaker during the evening.
“I was reminded of Max Smith last week as I was walking through the Farm Show, and I thought of the emphasis that he put on youth and developing 4-H leaders,” Piper said.
Smith and Piper crossed paths often during their careers, said Piper, and “I was most impressed with the example he has been to all extension personnel across the state,” said Piper. “I hope you may continue to motivate to greatness those who work in this Lancaster County facility in the years to come.”
Another guest speaker was dairyman Elvin Hess, who joined the Lancaster County 4-H Holstein Club — a club Max founded — when Hess was 10 years old.
Later, Hess worked with Smith for 37 years as a 4-H leader in the Red Rose 4-H Baby Beef Club. “Max put in a lot of time and energy into the 4-H program,” said Hess. “He was a .800good organizer and planner of many successful events.”
Hess mentioned that “during the year Max managed a visit to every 4-H club member,” where he scored the calves and the members’ record books.
“With over 150 members, that took a lot of his time and dedication,” Hess said.
Besides attending every county show, at 4-H County Roundup Smith would select about 30 steers to go on to Farm Show competition, where “he spent the week helping Lancaster County come home with many grand champions over the years,” Hess said.
“Max never had children of his own, but had many hundreds of kids who under his wing learned some of the great lessons in life through the knowledge, time, talent and energy he put forth,” said Hess.
Angus producer Fred Frey, who was on one of Smith’s first judging teams, reiterated Hess’s sentiment about the respect 4-H’ers had for Smith.
“When Max asked you to do something, you didn’t say no,” said Frey. “He was very straightforward and honest.
“What he taught me about cattle I passed onto my children and grandchildren and is it showing up today,” said Frey, whose granddaughter won the supreme champion bull title during recent Farm Show competition.
“I lost my father about the time you came on, and you were a father figure to me,” Frey said.
Smith himself had a chance to address the crowd during the evening, and took the opportunity to thank the board for naming the auditorium at the Farm and Home Center after him.
“I can’t think of another property or building that I would be more pleased to have my name on,” he said. “Each time it is renovated it gets more beautiful and useful.”
He fondly remembered his work with youth. “My experience showed that often for those youngsters 4-H was a like a stepstone to bigger and more powerful things.”
Also, “I liked to work with youngsters because they kept me young,” he said.
During an open microphone time, several people stood up to thank Smith for his influence in their lives.
Smith never hesitated to put in that extra time to help and guide and “make a champion for you,” said Clyde Brubaker, Hampshire sheep breeder and former judging team member under Smith.
Larry Weaver, Farm Show assistant director, noted that if Smith “had not had me under your wing at the Farm Show, I wouldn’t be working there today.”
Alan Bair, director of dairy industry relations at Penn State and former extension agent who worked with Smith, said Smith’s influence goes far beyond the county.
“You’re an inspiration to county agents across the state and even nationwide,” Bair said.
During the foundation’s business meeting, Linda Armstrong, building manager, discussed how the renovations have boosted the building’s volume of use.
She reported 1,081 meetings during the last fiscal year — an average of 90 meetings per month.
More than 61,000 people attended meetings in the facility last year.
