Hello
I grew up in southern New Jersey during the nineteen 1950s and ‘60s. I was strongly influenced by time spent on my uncle’s dairy farm, located close to my childhood home. I was also exposed to my father owning and operating his own small business. This combination led to me pursuing a career as a dairy veterinarian, with a strong interest in the business side of dairy herd management.
After graduating from the New York State College of Veterinary Medicine in 1973, I joined a mixed practice in eastern Pennsylvania. I became a partner in that practice, and remained there until 1989, when the attrition of local dairy farms prompted me to move to where the dairy industry was still thriving. I received an MBA degree in order to better advise dairy clients on the business aspects of their operations. In 1999, I left practice and joined Agway, Inc., to oversee a large-scale custom heifer-rearing operation, as well as consulting with Agway dairy customers on management.
In 2004, Cargill purchased the Agway Feed and Nutrition Business, and I assumed the position of dairy nutritionist and technical support specialist. I retired from full-time work in 2015, but continue to be active in the Pennsylvania dairy industry, serving as a consultant to the Pennsylvania Center for Dairy Excellence. I have always enjoyed writing, and have had many short articles featured in dairy and veterinary publications.
I have been richly blessed by 57 years of marriage to Alenda (Bitter) Gardner. We have four adult children, five grandchildren, and one great-grandchild. I have served as an Explorer Post Advisor, Sunday school teacher, and Marriage Enrichment group leader. I confess to be a bit of a professional student, and in 2020 received a degree in clinical counseling from Moravian Theological Seminary.
I volunteer as a counselor at Jordan United Church of Christ near Allentown, Pa. I also serve as a Big Brother in the Big Brother/Big Sister Organization. I take seriously Luke 12:48 "From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded; and from the one who has been entrusted with much, much more will be asked." A more complete portrayal of my Christian faith appears under "writings."
A final glimpse into who I am is revealed by my personal mission statement, written many years ago after I read Stephen Covey's book Seven Habits of Highly Effective People. I don't claim to always live up to it, but I aspire to do so.
My mission in life is to grow into my full potential as a child of God. I will do this primarily by serving others, helping them to grow into their own potential as children of God. This applies especially, but not exclusively to my wife, children, and grandchildren.
