BRATTLEBORO, Vt. — Holstein Association USA recently honored William C. Nichol, of State College, as the 2018 Distinguished Leadership Award recipient.
The award recognizes an individual who has made a career of providing outstanding and unselfish leadership for the betterment of the dairy industry. Nichol received the award at the recent National Holstein Convention in Acme, Mich.
According to the association, Nichol is respected by all who meet him, and he a tireless promoter of registered Holstein cattle, developing ideas that make people want to be a part of the registered Holstein industry.
For nearly 40 years, Nichol was at the helm of the Pennsylvania Holstein Association. As executive director, he spearheaded the state’s organization and initiated programs and services to benefit breeders. During his career, he coordinated the activities of 50 county clubs and increased membership to more than 6,300 members statewide. After retiring in 1997, he received the lifetime title of executive director emeritus.
Under his leadership, the Pennsylvania Holstein Association grew to the point that a 125-acre farm was purchased to accommodate the shipment of cattle for export to more than 50 countries. The farm continues to serve as a U.S. Department of Agriculture export facility and has a capacity for 1,200 Holsteins. Nichol even flew with the cattle to help buyers in other countries with herd management techniques.
Nichol was a leader in the Pennsylvania dairy industry for many years. He was there for the start of the All-American Dairy Show, helped get embryo transfer programs started in the eastern United States and offered advice and counsel to many organizations. He had the vision for the weekly magazine Farmshine, and encouraged Dieter Krieg to produce a statewide dairy paper.
Nichol also is involved in his community, church and other worthy causes. He has been a member of his local Kiwanis club since 1956, and while he was president of the State College Kiwanis Club, it became the largest in Pennsylvania.
