HARRISBURG, Pa. – Three distinguished individuals who have contributed to shape and improve the All-American Dairy Show will be formally recognized on Monday, September 14th. One of them is Dale Olver of State College, who will receive the Obie Snider Award
The Obie Snider Award, established in memory of All-American Dairy Show founding father Obie Snider, recognizes an individual who values service to the dairy industry and community and displays high standards of conduct.
Dale Olver has made a lifelong commitment to dairy education, youth development and the dairy industry, leaving a lasting impact on generations of students and dairy youth.
He grew up on a small family dairy farm near Honesdale in Wayne County, Pa. where he was active in 4-H, including dairy judging. After earning a degree in dairy production from Penn State, he spent 10 years with Atlantic Breeders Cooperative as a progeny analyst under the guidance of Harry Roth.
In 1989, Dale began his career at Penn State, where he has educated and mentored students for more than three decades. He has coached the Penn State Dairy Judging Team and co-advises the Penn State Dairy Science Club with Chad Dechow. Under Dale’s leadership, the dairy judging team has captured three national championships and earned more than 30 top-10 finishes at the national contest, helping Penn State rank second among universities in all-time national contest winning percentage.
Olver’s influence extends beyond the judging team. As co-advisers, he and Dechow have guided the Penn State Dairy Science Club to exceptional success. For the past six years, the club has been recognized as an Outstanding Chapter by the American Dairy Science Association.
Throughout his career at Penn State, Olver has taught or co-taught nine courses, sharing his knowledge of and passion for animal science and the dairy industry with countless students.
His commitment to youth development also reaches throughout Pennsylvania and beyond. In addition to his responsibilities at Penn State, Olver works closely with the Penn- sylvania 4-H dairy program and supports events such as the Pennsylvania Junior Dairy Show and the Junior Dairy Management Contest at the All-American Dairy Show. He also helps coordinate dairy quiz bowl and dairy jeopardy competitions for Pennsylvania’s Holstein, Guernsey and Jersey associations.
Olver’s dedication to education and youth development has earned him significant recognition, including the Hoard’s Dairyman Youth Development Award and the Purina Teaching Award, both presented through the American Dairy Science Association.
Through teaching, coaching, advising and service to the dairy community, Olver has demonstrated an unwavering commitment to developing the next generation of dairy leaders. His influence is evident in the accomplishments of the teams and organizations he has guided and in the students and young people he has encouraged throughout his career.
