Alumni Shoutouts Winter 2025

Lindsay Jacobs ’20 AREC

Lindsay was honored to be selected as one of eight participants in the second American Hereford Association Seedstock Academy (AHA) Program. Being able to learn from and build relationships with AHA staff, industry leaders, and researchers from around the country is something she will always cherish. AHA’s investment and commitment to young breeders to educate and uplift the next generation is unmatched by any other breed association. Representing the Mid Atlantic and bringing that knowledge back for our industry is invaluable!

Lindsay is also thrilled to have been nominated and accepted as a national board member for the National Hereford Women to represent the eastern region. The goal of this organization is to promote women in agriculture and youth involvement programs such as Faces of Lead, Building on Leadership Development, and the Junior National Hereford Expo. Representing the East allows her to have a voice for our region on the National level to remind the Ag community the we still exist out here.

Wade Butler '78 Horticulture

The Mid-Atlantic Master Farmers Association has announced their 91st class of Master Farmers, and Butler’s Orchard’s very own Wade Butler is one of the honorees!

Beginning in 1927, the Mid-Atlantic Master Farmers Association is America’s longest running and most prestigious agricultural honors program, recognizing a handful of leaders in the agricultural community each year. One of three Master Farmers announced this year, Wade has been recognized as a pillar of the local community for over 30 years, and is exceptionally deserving of this distinction.

 

Brent Bucci '15 ANSC

In 2024, Bret’s family farm received a JumpStart Grant from Horizon Farm Credit, which is awarded to only 15 of over 100 young farmer applicants. In 2022, he was recognized by the International Production and Processing Expo as part of its Young Leaders “30 Under 30” program. In his role at Perdue, as Live Production Planning Manager, Bret is responsible for coordinating the poultry supply chain and implementing innovative systems to improve operational efficiency.

Shelby Watson Hampton '07 ANSC

Shelby’s Robin Hill Farm and Vineyards received the 2024 Governor’s Cup Wine Competition Best in Show award for 2022 Bliss Best, a sweet white wine from estate Vidal Blanc. Bliss has hints of apricot, honey, and peach and a refreshing finish. This is the highest award given to a Maryland wine annually.

In other exciting news, Robin Hill Farm and Vineyards hosted the film production of Forgetting Christmas staring Melan Perez, Victoria Rowell and Dennis Jones.

 

Gina Cady '05 Landscape Ecology

Gina is the proud recipient of the 2024 Clean Energy Education and Empowerment International Award. Gina is a U.S. Diplomat for the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) Foreign Service and has led several USAID initiatives to support clean energy deployment and climate investments. In her current role, she leads Power Africa’s Health Electrification and Telecommunications Alliance, a $150 million public–private partnership to electrify and digitally connect 10,000 health facilities across sub-Saharan Africa.