As summer moves along, fawns are growing, bucks are putting on inches, and another fall season is quickly approaching. I hope everyone has had a successful fawning season and that the hard work put into your breeding, nutrition, herd health, and land management programs is paying off.

This President’s Message is a little different for me, because it will be my last.

I informed the PDFA Board of Directors a few months ago that following our PA Eastern Fall Classic Stocker Sale on August 29, I will be stepping down as President of the Pennsylvania Deer Farmers Association. The Board will nominate and elect a new President to lead the organization moving forward. I will continue serving on the Board and finish the remaining two years of my current term, and I look forward to supporting our new President and the direction of the Association.

I have had the privilege of serving PDFA in leadership for nearly 11 years as Treasurer, Vice President, and President, including approximately six years as President. It has truly been a humbling experience to have the opportunity to lead an organization that represents an industry and people that have been such an important part of my life.

Throughout those years, my belief in what PDFA represents has only grown stronger. Our mission of preserving, protecting, and promoting Pennsylvania deer farming is about more than any one issue, event, or person.

It is about healthy animals. It is about science and continuing to implement new technologies to improve herd health and combat disease. It is about preserving farms, improving habitat, supporting rural economies, and creating opportunities for the next generation of deer farmers. It is also about advocating for our producers and making sure policymakers understand who we are and what our industry contributes to Pennsylvania. And finally its a bout peeling away some of the regulatory drag that has cut our industry in half over the last decade.

Advancing CWD Science Here in Pennsylvania

Here at home, we continue working with the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture and advocating for the use of new science and technology in CWD management.

One particularly important opportunity is grant funding from the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture for GEBV testing. Genetic technology and the continued advancement of CWD-related science give our industry tools that simply did not exist years ago.

August 29 – Join Us in State College

Before my time as President comes to an end, I hope to see many of you at the PA Eastern Fall Classic Stocker Sale on August 29 at Toftrees Resort in State College.

We are introducing a new format for this year’s event. We’ll hold our membership meeting, enjoy lunch together, and have the Stocker Sale, giving buyers and sellers an opportunity to come together around some great Pennsylvania bucks.

But just as importantly, it will be a chance to spend some time together. Come talk deer, catch up with fellow producers, participate in your Association, and enjoy the fellowship that has always been one of the best parts of this industry.

Thank You

As I prepare to turn the presidency over to someone new, I want to sincerely thank everyone who has supported me and PDFA during my years in leadership.

Thank you to our members, Board members, officers, volunteers, sponsors, industry partners, legislators, agency representatives, and everyone who has taken the time to participate and help move this organization forward.

Stepping down as President does not mean I am stepping away from this industry or from the people in it. I intend to continue helping Pennsylvania deer farmers grow their businesses, improve their operations, and create new opportunities wherever I can.

There is still plenty of work ahead for PDFA, and I am excited to see where new leadership takes the organization. I hope our membership will give the next President the same support and opportunity you have given me.

Until then, enjoy the rest of your summer, weaning some big-time fawns,  finish growing some giant bucks, and I hope to see you in State College on August 29.

Thank you for allowing me the privilege of serving as your President.

Respectfully Submitted,

Josh Newton

President

Pennsylvania Deer Farmers Association