Contacts:
Kelly Loftus, Agency of Agriculture, (802) 828-3829

Monday, June 8, 2009

Brattleboro, Vt. — The Strolling of the Heifers presented its annual Agricultural Leadership Award to Vermont Secretary of Agriculture Roger Allbee on Friday evening at Brattleboro’s Latchis Theatre.

The award, given in recognition of lifetime contributions to Vermont’s agricultural vitality, was presented by Helen Robb of the Robb Family Farm in West Brattleboro, winner of the award in 2008, and by Orly Munzing, executive director of Strolling of the Heifers.

The presentation came during the organization’s Celebration of Youth in Agriculture, part of the Strolling of the Heifers Weekend.

Allbee, a resident of Townshend, has served as the Secretary of Vermont’s Agency of Agriculture, Food and Markets since being appointed by Governor Jim Douglas in 2007.

Previously, he served as the executive director of the United States Department of Agriculture’s Farm Services Agency in Vermont beginning in March, 2003. Prior to that, he was a private food and agri-business consultant, a Vice President for Public Policy and Strategic Planning at the Farm Credit Banks of Springfield and a staff member for the U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Agriculture.

Allbee served as a captain in the U. S. Army from 1967 to 1970, and on the staff of Cornell University from 1970 to 1975. He has also been a consultant on agriculture and international trade issues.

“Roger has been great in his support and encouragement for Strolling of the Heifers over the years,” Munzing said. “In particular, he helped us realize that some farmers need better access to credit, which is why we started the Strolling of the Heifers Microloan Fund for New England Farmers.”

Strolling of the Heifers Weekend takes place the first weekend of June each year, and is highlighted by the agriculturally themed parade on Brattleboro’s Main Street.

For further information, visit www.strollingoftheheifers.com