Well-known in dairy circles, Tim and Sharyn Abbott recently joined with Tim’s brother, Dave Abbott and his wife, Penny, to make a generous $100,000 contribution to the National Dairy Shrine scholarship fund.

Tim and Sharyn met at the University of Vermont where both studied dairy science. After graduation, Tim worked as a field representative for the American Jersey Association and spent 20 years as a sire analyst with ABS in the U.S. and Canada. He is a past Dairy Shrine board member. Sharyn made her mark as high individual in the National Intercollegiate Dairy Judging Contest and is former editor of the Guernsey Journal. The couple owned St. Jacobs ABC and now are co-owners of the Dairy Cattle Alliance, an elite cattle auction company.

Tim’s older brother Dave graduated from the University of Vermont with an ag business degree. He had a productive, 26-year career in the animal nutrition business, starting as an intern with Purina Mills, eventually rising to president and CEO of the company, while Penny supported the family from their St. Louis home. After leaving Purina, Dave led several companies for a private equity firm.

Dairy Shrine recently spoke with Tim Abbott to get his perspective on the family’s donation.

Why did your family decide to make this significant gift to the Dairy Shrine?

Our purpose, in addition to supporting the mission of the Dairy Shrine, is to recognize our parents, Knight and Ruth Abbott. Our parents were passionate Jersey breeders with great cattle minds, who milked a herd of 40 Jersey cows on a small farm in the hills of central Vermont. They worked hard and sacrificed tremendously in order for Dave and me to go to college and pursue our career dreams. We see this gift as a meaningful way to express our appreciation and honor their legacy.

When did you become a member of the Dairy Shrine?

Sharyn and I were on the University of Vermont dairy cattle judging team in the mid-1980s and that’s how we received our Dairy Shrine memberships. Attending the Dairy Shrine banquet in Madison as judging team members had a huge impact on both of us. As a Vermont farm kid, seeing and then meeting the great dairy leaders being recognized was a special experience and a memory that has stuck with me all these years.

 

Why did you earmark the scholarship fund for your gift?

It was a simple decision. Dave, Sharyn and I grew up needing scholarships and other sources of financial assistance to get through college. What’s unique about Dairy Shrine scholarships is that they are not just about money. Applying for and earning a Dairy Shrine scholarship provides young people with valuable connections within the industry. Although I didn’t win a Dairy Shrine scholarship myself, I had similar opportunities through Jersey youth scholarship programs and was able to meet dairy leaders like Jim Cavanaugh, Maury Core and Gene Meyer. Those experiences gave me confidence to move forward and succeed in my career.

There are other dairy organizations you could support with your gift. Why the Dairy Shrine?

I agree, there are many great organizations. We chose the Dairy Shrine because it encompasses the entire industry – all breeds, all geographies and all ages. From my service on the Dairy Shrine board, I know and have huge respect for how efficiently the organization functions and uses its dollars.