By Emily Caldwell
On August 4, the Hartzell family of Slippery Rock, Pa. hosted Penn State Extension’s Dairy Twilight Tour. In addition to being home to a great herd of Holstein cattle, the farm has churned out two Alpha Zeta alumni and is working on a third.
The AZ legacy actually began with Kathy (Schiever) Hartzell, who graduated from Penn State in 1981. She was part of the original little sister program at AZ. She married George Hartzell, and the couple had three children.
Dr. Janelle (Hartzell) Hoffman graduated from Penn State in 2010, married James Hoffman (’08) and graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Madison School of Veterinary Medicine in 2014. She’s currently a large animal veterinarian with Centre Herd Health Services in Centre Hall, Pa. During her time at Alpha Zeta, Janelle was particularly active in rush and philanthropy events.
Dan Hartzell graduated in 2012 and returned to the family farm. He’s likely best known around the Alpha Zeta circle for being the original mastermind behind the house’s live nativity scene for the annual holiday lights tour, a tradition that has earned the house awards and accolades from the State College community.
Youngest sister Michelle Hartzell is the current house chronicler. She’ll graduate in 2016 with a degree in animal science and has plans to obtain a medical degree.
The Twilight Tour included an overview of the Hartzells’ recently built freestall barn as well as several hands-on demonstrations from Penn State Extension personnel.
“When I first came back to the farm, I set a goal for myself to double the herd within five years,” Dan Hartzell told attendees. “Because of adapting technologies like the sort gate system you saw tonight and sexed semen, I think I’m well on my way to accomplishing that goal.”
Photo Captions:
Top left- Dan Hartzell addresses Twilight Tour attendees in front of the recently built freestall barn. Photo by Emily Caldwell.
Top right- From left to right, Dr. Janelle (Hartzell) Hoffman, Kathy Hartzell, James Hoffman, Butler County Dairy Princess Robin Peters, George Hartzell, Michelle Hartzell, Dan Hartzell and Steve Hartzell. Photo courtesy Butler County Dairy Promotion Team.
Bottom right- Two cows enjoy a late night snack in the freestall barn. Photo by Emily Caldwell.