Westmoreland farmer takes home Pennsylvania Farm Bureau’s Barnraiser Award

Westmoreland County dairy farmer Rick Ebert was presented with the Pennsylvania Farm Bureau’s highest honor — the Barnraiser Award.

The award was given to former bureau president, Ebert, 63, of Derry Township, during the the group’s 73rd annual meeting at the Hershey Lodge. It recognizes his years of service advocating for Pennsylvania agriculture at the county, state and national level.

Ebert, who operates Ebert Family Farms, said he felt honored, giving a nod to his previous 4-H leaders, advisers and extension agents have been committed to agriculture.

“After I got out of college, I wanted to give back to the community with being a 4-H leader … working for the betterment of agriculture.”

The Barnraiser Award is meant to recognize those who have spent their lives in dedicated leadership of the agricultural community, according to the bureau.

In addition to his service as the bureau’s eighth president from 2014-2022, Ebert served on the American Farm Bureau Federation’s board of directors, and was a member of its executive committee. Before becoming Pennsylvania Farm Bureau president, he served as its vice president for 10 years and represented District 16 on its state board of directors from 1996-2004.

Ebert was president of the Westmoreland County Farm Bureau and vice chair of Pennsylvania Farm Bureau’s Young Farmer and Rancher Committee, which is now known as the Young Ag Professionals. He led the Dairy State Committee and has presented testimony before the Pennsylvania Milk Marketing Board on behalf of dairy farmers across the state.

Additionally, Ebert received the Mid-Atlantic “Master Farmer” Award in 2009 and the Charles E. Cowan Memorial Award from the Professional Dairy Manager of Pennsylvania in 2008. He was named Farmer of the Year at the 2007 Country Folks Keystone Farm Show.

His farm was recognized with the Westmoreland County Conservation Award in 1983 as well.

Ebert serves as a 4-H leader, superintendent for the Westmoreland County Fair Association and on the St. James Catholic Church Pastoral Council.

“I really enjoy interacting with people,” Ebert said.