Olivia Spako of Sullivan County worked two shifts in the Dairy Promotion Corner at the Pennsylvania Farm Show this year. She enjoyed sharing her knowledge of the dairy industry and wants to become an ag teacher.
Story and photo by Rick Hiduk
(originally published in the Sullivan Review)
The Dairy Corner is a popular stop for children of all ages at the Pennsylvania Farm Show, offering hands-on activities, dairy trivia, newborn calves and plenty of PA Dairy Promotion royalty from across the Commonwealth. While some larger counties in northeast Pennsylvania have struggled to keep their programs going, Sullivan County has always been well-represented. This year, Olivia Spako from Forksville donned the sash and tiara to represent the folks back home and share all things dairy with Farm Show guests, working shifts on both Jan. 5 and 9.
“So far, they’re all loving it, and I’m loving it too,” said Olivia. “I’m teaching kids how the milking process works and how the milk gets from the farm to your house.”
Olivia, the daughter of Jennifer and Jeffrey Spako, has been a 4-H member in Sullivan County since she was six years old. Now a senior at Sullivan County High School, Olivia has been working on a dairy farm for two years and applied to be this year’s Dairy Princess for the first time.
“Olivia placed in the top seven at the state competition, which takes dedication and determination,” said Sullivan County Dairy Promotion adviser Noreen Keeney. “She stepped into the Dairy Princess role and took off!”
Keeney has been impressed by Olivia’s ability to work with adults and children as she balances the rigors of her commitment to the Dairy Promotion program and her school work, a skill that requires good time management and the ability to multitask. “As the months have gone by, I’ve seen Olivia come out of her shell, which is wonderful,” Keeney continued. “That is what is so powerful about our program. We are very proud of her.”
At the farm owned by Scott and Randi Reibson just up the road from her home, Olivia enjoys the variety of tasks she can take on. In addition to milking cows daily, Olivia helps to sanitize the milking parlor and maintain the health of the herd, including treating mastitus, an inflammation of the mammary gland or udder. She also loves to feed the barn cats.
After graduation from high school, Olivia plans to go to Lockhaven University to pursue a teaching degree for ag-related studies and FFA.
And, yes, children ask all the time if they can wear her lovely tiara. “State guidelines don’t allow it,” she explained, “but I wish I could.”