John R. Rodgers Creates a New Endowed Scholarship at DelVal Hard-working dairy science students at Delaware Valley College will now have the opportunity to earn a new scholarship. John Reed Rodgers, the father of David Rodgers ’87, was so impressed with what he saw when he toured campus in April 2013, that he decided to invest in the future of the College. Rodgers has established a $50,000 endowed scholarship through his estate plans as part of the College’s Realizing the Vision capital campaign.
practices. He worked at Plum Bottom Farm in Belleville, Pa. for much of his career, on land his family has owned since 1755. His family has raised prize-winning Ayrshires, which have had an impact on the breed at a national level. “In my family, we all helped on the farm,” said Rodgers. “I’ve been involved with Ayrshires since 1951, and ultimately became president of the American Ayrshire Breeders’ Association.”
The John R. Rodgers Endowed Scholarship for Excellence in Dairy Science, will be open to students majoring in dairy science at DelVal with a GPA of 2.5 or higher. Students must also be gaining hands-on experience in the dairy industry, be actively involved in collegiate skill and leadership development opportunities, and demonstrate financial need. Rodgers contacted Russell Redding, dean of agriculture and environmental sciences, in April 2012 because he wanted to find out more about scholarships at the College and the dairy science program. As a friend of Redding’s and the parent of a food science alumnus, he stayed connected to the College, and wanted to see how he could help students.
He is an eighth-generation farmer who believes in leaving the land he uses better than when he found it by using innovative 20 H O R I Z O N S | F A L L 2 0 1 3
“I met some nice people over there,” said Rodgers. “I liked the people. Many are coming over to see what we do here now.” Rodgers was also heavily involved in The Penn State Agricultural Council. He continues to be involved in farming by helping his daughter, Gay, as a consultant for her herd. His daughter runs a camp to teach young girls about dairy farming at Hameau Farm in Belleville, Pa. “They leave the camp with a greater understanding and appreciation for dairy farming,” said Rodgers, “which is her goal.” He is the proud parent of five children; two daughters and three sons. Through his role as a father, he visited campus a number of times.
“I appreciate the fact that they are endeavoring to help young people become grounded in real agriculture.”
“John has dedicated his life to improving agriculture – here at home and around the world,” said Dean Redding. “He knows firsthand the benefits of science, good stewardship and working as a team to improve a community and people’s lives. Having John endorse our progress and invest in the future of DelVal is very important and gratifying.”
times since that first visit.
He is a past president of the Pennsylvania Forage and Grassland Council and the American Forage and Grassland Council and a member of the Pennsylvania Association for Sustainable Agriculture.
Rodgers believes famers need to maintain a connection to their communities and to the land they farm. During his career, he gave back using his skills through work in Kazakhstan, in Central Asia. He helped bring Kazakh farmers to the U.S. to learn about farming practices, helped start educational programs, worked with farmers to start agriculture-based businesses, and helped veterinarians get equipment they needed to better care for their livestock. He first visited Kazakhstan in 1993 with an exchange program, and has been there 24
“I was always impressed with the way they did things,” said Rodgers. “It’s a small college and I liked that. I’ve always been aware of what they do, and maybe even more so how they do it. I appreciate the fact that they are endeavoring to help young people become grounded in real agriculture.” He knew Dean Redding through Penn State and through his position as a former Pennsylvania secretary of agriculture. He liked Dean Redding’s approach to agriculture and was pleased to see him join the College. Rodgers still lives on the family farm and helps his daughter with her herd. He wants to see dairy science students leave college with an appreciation for agriculture and make a contribution to the business aspect of farming. He recently met a young woman who bought one of his animals when she was just a high school student. “She even remembered the name of that Ayrshire,” said Rodgers. “Now she has her own well-known reputable Holstein herd. I was happy that she was involved in the business of farming. I find it satisfying to see students investing their lives in farming.”