What would you do if you moved to another state for a great job, but not one that allowed close proximity to dairy animals? Kathy Whitman did just that when she moved to Maryland. However, she never let it stand in her way to own quality cattle and show nationally. Her prefix "Gotta Wanna Farm" shows her deep attachment and passion for agriculture.
It really should be no surprise since Kathy has been around animals and farm equipment all her life. Her father owns a New Holland dealership in Massachusetts where she was exposed to equipment from an early age. She helped with parts inventory and accompanied her dad on service calls. She came to Maryland after accepting a job selling refuse equipment and moved up the corporate ladder for 20 years. Several years ago she changed to the financial side and now works for a company that specializes in financing refuse equipment. Kathy credits her ag background and experience for her success in the refuse industry. She believes the industries are similar in many ways. As much as she never expected to be working outside of agriculture, she now cannot imagine herself doing anything else.
Interestingly, Kathy started in 4-H showing Jerseys but changed to Brown Swiss shortly afterward. She has owned Swiss since the early 1970's. She was on the Massachusetts State 4-H Judging Team and collegiate 1st place judging team at the Eastern States Exposition, better known as the "Big E" in 1983. She received her degree in Animal Husbandry from SUNY Cobbleskill. No wonder she has such a good eye at sales! One of her show animals, Harris Hill Martha, was a Jr. Bell Ringer and Grand Champion of the junior show at the Eastern States Exposition. Kathy worked as Youth Director for the NE Brown Swiss Association in the late 70's and early 80's. She was the New England Swiss Miss in 1980. She didn't forget the other brown cow either-- she served as Massachusetts's Jersey Princess. She remains very active as a member of the Maryland Brown Swiss. Her organizational skills make her the ideal treasurer for the group, as well as a Director and member of the Convention Committee.
After college Kathy worked at Fair Weather Farm in New Lebanon NY. They had a Jersey milking herd of 400+ and about 700 total animals. This farm was/is very well known and is credited with developing polled Jersey genetics. Kathy milked, cared for the calves, worked in the fields and other tasks related to dairying. She was there for 2 years before seeking a job with growth opportunities. Luckily she chose the one that brought her to Maryland in 1993. Just prior to moving to MD Kathy showed Swiss cattle and helped Allis Acres with the show string at the Big E. Faye Allis, a well known name to many New Englanders, greatly influenced Kathy, and is the main reason for her continued involvement in the breed. In the fall of 1992 they had a string of 15 Swiss at the Big E and did extremely well. The highlight however, much to Kathy's surprise, was being named as the recipient of the "Herdsman's Cane." This award is a real honor and tradition at the Big E and is voted on by the exhibitors. The cane is displayed in Kathy's office and is one of her most treasured awards. Kathy may have been surprised, but not the people who are around her in the show barns. She is meticulous about the appearance of the cattle and exhibit and is seen using a leaf blower to keep the aisles immaculate whenever a cow is taken in or out of the lineup. As part of the MD-Hillbrook team, she received a herdsman award at Madison several years ago.
Living in Maryland created the opportunity for Kathy to join forces with Jen Keilholtz (Hill) and Glad Ray Farm. Later, Jen's marriage to husband Chris Hill added him into the mix. Kathy feels extremely fortunate to have such great friends and partners that allow her continued involvement with Brown Swiss. She considers it an honor to have shown at Harrisburg, Louisville and Madison. She has owned in partnership several All-American nominees including Hoodstead Nudge who was Reserve Junior Grand Champion at World Dairy Expo as a fall yearling. At this point, Kathy says ...."life is good." Maryland Brown Swiss has been, and is, blessed and enriched by Kathy's involvement and hard work in our breed organization.