Lewis R. Jones Chief Business Administrator Grove City, Ohio American Guernsey Association

I will be expected to lead the staff of the AGA in continuing a positive relationship with Guernsey breeders and producers throughout the U.S., to increase the number of animal registrations in a timely manner and to make recommendations to improve the breed production records, type and overall value of individual cows and herds.

What territory will you cover?
With contributions from the AGA and Purebred Publishing staff members and board, we will cover the entire U.S. while working to improve export numbers of Guernsey embryos, calves, heifers, cows and young bulls to other countries.

Please describe your agricultural background.
I was reared in Ross and Pickaway counties in Ohio by parents who were dairy-beef-swine-grain farmers. Beginning with 4-H at the age of 10, my main interest was always the dairy part of the business. As a high school student, I also worked at a local grain elevator weighing grain trucks and farm wagons, sampling and grading for moisture content, foreign material and test weight per bushel.

I supplemented my college education costs by working in the dairy barn at The Ohio State University and by serving as a Franklin County DHIR milk tester and scheduling supervisor. I co-managed the family milking operations and was involved in nutrition, breeding and other major decisions necessary to have a successful family farm operation.

What education are you bringing with you to this position?
Eleven years of 4-H projects and showing dairy animals in open class shows at the home county fairs, numerous other county fairs and the Ohio State Fair were major factors that led my decision to enroll in The Ohio State University to major in the then Dairy Science Department of the College of Agriculture.

The Dairy Science Department has since been absorbed by the Animal Science Department in the College of Food, Agricultural and Environmental Sciences. At OSU, I was a member of the Dairy Science Club and Alpha Gamma Sigma (Agricultural) Fraternity while earning a Bachelor of Science degree in agricultural economics.

What previous positions have you held?
Before joining the Ohio Department of Agriculture (ODA), I served 17 years as operations manager for the Pillsbury Company’s Grain Division in Cincinnati, Ohio, and Minneapolis, Minnesota, and 10 years as an auditor with Federal Order 33 of the USDA Milk Market Administrator. My career at ODA included chief of the Division or Weights and Measures, chief of the Division of Dairy and department deputy director.

My Division of Dairy responsibilities were to lead a staff of sanitarians to assure safe and wholesome milk and dairy products for consumers and to advise and educate Ohio’s dairy farmers and dairy processors. I served on the executive board of the National Conference on Interstate Milk Shipments and as president of the National Association of Dairy Regulatory Officials.

Who has made the biggest impact on your career?
That is an easy question to answer. I could say my parents and stop there, but I will elaborate. First, I had a father who instilled in myself and siblings the necessity and value of being dedicated to whatever task was expected of you and completing the job in a timely and efficient manner. That is why I have always stayed focused on positive results with any plans or assignments I may face.

Second, my mother was organized in carrying out the duties involved in maintaining a structured household and family while keeping full and accurate farming business records. She had a way of always knowing cow and calf numbers, breeding records, calving dates, and she filed the required applications to obtain registration papers for the entire herd. She taught me the importance of demonstrating and executing with useful organizational skills.

How will you be of most help to producers in your region or area of expertise?
It is important in all walks of life to be informed of factors and events that add to a successful business. Guernsey dairy farmers are like all other businesspersons who wish to be informed of events in their neighborhood, county, state, the U.S. and the world that could affect their bottom line. They welcome news of new technologies that could help them to run a more profitable business.

Because a dedicated work ethic is required to be a dairy farmer, they strive to do things that make life a little easier. So, I will read various trade publications, attend seminars and trade shows, make meaningful farm visits and disseminate helpful information to AGA members and potential members. Working with staff members and the board to improve membership numbers will be a priority.

Why did you choose this company?
I chose AGA because a few of its members convinced me that my agricultural education, business management experience, dairy industry knowledge and willingness to make difficult decisions should be a good fit for the organization. With the presence of a dedicated board and an experienced staff of professionals in place at AGA and Purebred Publishing, the decision to join AGA was not a difficult one to make.

What goals would you like to accomplish while in this position?
I am ready to work with the board and staff members on methods to increase the organization’s membership and registration numbers. There are a number of Guernsey breeders and producers who are not active members of AGA, and a higher percentage of them need to learn the advantages of becoming a member and registering more animals.

Because of the highest levels of solids and beta carotene in Guernsey milk and the best source for A2 milk among all dairy breeds, a strong marketing tool can be expanded. PD