Innovative Dairy Farmer of the Year Award

TOWNVILLE, Pa. — Apple Shamrock Farms, LLC of Townville, Crawford County, Pennsylvania, was recognized on the national stage on January 26th as its owners — the Waddell Family — received the Innovative Dairy Farmer of the Year Award. It was presented at the International Dairy Foods Association’s (IDFA) annual forum in Palm Desert, California.

The IDFA award, now presented jointly with Dairy Herd Management magazine, has recognized a top dairy farm every year since 1999 that demonstrates leadership, innovation, and continuous improvement across animal care, environmental stewardship, and business management. Pennsylvania Secretary of Agriculture Russell Redding nominated the farm.

Founded in 1976 by Robert and Lorna Waddell, along with their son Robert J., the business remains a family dairy nearly five decades later, now led by third-generation Josh Waddell, along with his brother Joe as a partner in the farming operation, and their mother Christine managing the books and father Robert J., overseeing the milk hauling.

The Waddells farm 3500 acres and milk 1250 cows, employing a full-time team of about 25 employees, producing 38 million pounds of milk annually.

“This award recognizes Apple Shamrock Dairy Farms for its leadership and innovation in so many pillars of the dairy business,” said Michael Dykes, D.V.M., IDFA president and CEO. “The Waddell family are forward-thinking leaders who understand the importance of pushing the boundaries of efficiency, sustainability, and animal comfort.”

“Innovation in farming isn’t about chasing trends; it’s about adapting, learning, and finding better ways to care for our animals, our land, and the people we serve,” said Josh, accepting the award with his wife Hayley. “For me, it’s always been about asking, ‘How can we do this better?’ Better for sustainability, better for efficiency, and better for future generations.”

That mindset is clear in the big decisions as well as how daily tasks are managed. In a Center for Dairy Excellence “Cow-Side Conversations” podcast a year ago, Josh described how they use real-time production and feed data and activity monitoring to focus labor where it matters most.

Rather than reacting to problems after they show up in the bulk tank, the monitoring system allows the team to identify individual cows that need attention before issues escalate.

“We can sort a large herd down to a very short list of cows to go look at,” Josh explained. “We’re maximizing our time by focusing on the cows that need it most. By watching daily milk weights and behavior, you can get ahead of things.”

That same flow of automated information supports closer coordination with the farm’s nutrition program, allowing subtle, timely ration adjustments based on actual performance rather than lagging indicators.

“You need to be milking the right cows,” Josh added. “Just because your facility is full doesn’t mean you have the right cows. The data gives you confidence to grow in a structured way instead of working blindly.”

Manure management by design

Apple Shamrock’s manure handling system was another factor cited by IDFA judges as an example of practical, farm-level innovation.

The dairy uses a three-cell lagoon system paired with a sand separation lane that allows sand-laden manure to be separated non-mechanically and the effluent pumped rather than hauled. The design significantly reduces equipment wear, fuel use, and labor while improving sand and nutrient recycling.

“We wanted to be on sand but didn’t want the maintenance problems that usually come with it,” Josh noted. “This system lets gravity and settling do most of the work.”

The setup also allows for direct injection of liquid manure, improving crop nutrient uptake while reducing runoff risk and nutrient volatilization.

Rooted in family partnership

Behind the technology and infrastructure is a tightly coordinated family management structure.

In a PFB video interview for the award, Christine noted that she and Robert always made decisions together “very much in lockstep.” That decision-making circle for the dairy now includes Josh.

“The three of us are always working together on the big decisions,” she said. “Then we each take our role and filter that out.”

She emphasizes that leadership roles for women in agriculture continue to expand.

“The opportunity is endless,” she said. “It’s really encouraging to see more women stepping into leadership positions across agriculture.”

Education is key to their mission

Education and outreach are another core part of Apple Shamrock’s mission.

Located next to an elementary school, the farm has hosted kindergarten tours for years, in addition to participating in the Pennsylvania Dairy Princess Program, Farm Bureau activities, and other agricultural promotion efforts.

“We’re very few among the many,” Christine observed. “People drive by farms every day and have no idea what we do. If we can just help one or two people understand where their food comes from, that matters.”

It also builds and spreads. She encourages other farmers and all agricultural professionals to get involved in educating their communities.

“The rewards outweigh the time you put in,” Christine related. “Just say yes and give it a try.”

For the Waddell family, the IDFA honor is both recognition and responsibility.

“This award isn’t just a reflection of what we’ve done, it’s a reminder of what’s still ahead,” Josh said. “I’m proud to be part of an industry that continues to evolve while honoring tradition, and I’m grateful to everyone who has been part of our journey.”

As a Pennsylvania dairy earning one of the industry’s top national innovation honors, Apple Shamrock Farms stands as an example of how family leadership, data-driven management, nutrient management and recycling, and community engagement come together in a modern dairy operation.