Moss has been a member of the Chautauqua County Dairy Program for nine years. Through 4-H, she has participated in showing cows at the local county fairs and the New York State Fair; dairy judging at the county, state and national levels; dairy bowl; Dairy Discovery Program; Visit the Farm Day; and Agriculture Literacy Week. Heidi has been showing her registered Brown Swiss and Ayrshire dairy cattle at the Chautauqua County Fair for the last nine years.

Moss is very involved on her family’s dairy farm, helping care for the calves and heifers daily. She is also learning how to use the technology and data generated from the “automated milking system or robots” to manage the dairy herd. Heidi said she is excited to continue to learn about new technologies in agriculture and looks forward to attending the State University at Morrisville in 2018 to study dairy science.

Heidi was recently selected to participate in the 2017-18 Cornell Junior Dairy Leader program, traveling to the World Dairy Expo and National 4-H Dairy Conference, in Madison, Wisc. Heidi was also selected based upon her dairy judging skills to represent New York state on the National 4-H Dairy Judging Team competing in Louisville, Ky., in early November.

4-H officials said Heidi has developed a passion and love for agriculture and the dairy industry. She promotes the dairy industry and informs the public about agriculture. Through showing dairy cattle, Heidi has developed a strong work ethic, responsibility of caring for her dairy cattle, and has been able to see her hard work pay off through numerous achievements. Heidi has served as a junior superintendent for the 4-H Dairy Barn for the past two years, helping other 4-H members at the fair. Heidi said some of her favorite memories of showing cows are the friends she has made and getting to help the younger members.

“I have had the pleasure to know and work with Heidi throughout her 4-H career and have seen Heidi mature into a hard-working, intelligent young woman with a passion for agriculture, always learning new information and eager to help others,” said Lisa Kempisty, extension educator.

Heidi is a senior at Pine Valley Central School, where she is active in FFA, Envirothon and serves as chapter vice president of the National Honor Society. She serves as president of her FFA chapter and enjoys her agriculture class activities, including helping with the school garden, road cleanup and tractor day. Heidi has competed in multiple public speaking events on the district and sub state level. Through FFA, she has attended several leadership conferences and two state conventions. Heidi said it is important to be involved in FFA because she has been able to meet other adults and children who share a passion for agriculture. Heidi also has an appreciation for music, as she has been playing and studying piano for the past 10 years. She has also been recognized in competitive swimming with the Pine Valley Swim Club for the past five years and served as a lifeguard for two years.

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