Virginia Livestock Hall of Fame - Margie Ann Dick

*Provided by the Virginia State Dairyman's Association*

Margie Ann Dick is the Cal Ripken Jr. of the Virginia Holstein industry. Others have made contributions through teaching, research, industry innovations, or breeding accomplishments.  Margie Ann’s standout contribution is her absolute dedication, stamina, and longevity in serving Virginia’s Holstein industry. She has had many roles but is most known for serving as Secretary-Treasurer of Virginia Holstein Association for 35 years.  I can think of no one who has been more reliably present or traveled more miles over more years in a position with little monetary reward.

Her story began at home on her family’s dairy farm in Chantilly.  As a youth Margie Ann was very involved in 4-H and showing her Registered Holsteins.  As time went on, she often assisted others at shows and began trucking cattle. When her family dispersed their milking herd Margie Ann continued to raise and merchandise heifers even before and after her children were involved in 4-H.

Her first role in the Virginia Holstein Association was as an Advisor to the Junior Committee. She helped them organize and set up their original bylaws.  In 1979 Margie Ann took over as Secretary-Treasurer, a role she held for an unprecedented 35 years. She went beyond the required duties and dedicated a large part of her life to the Virginia Holstein Association. You could always count on her to show up and do her job.  “Jobs” is more accurate, since she personally expanded the role of Secretary-Treasurer to include many more responsibilities than recording minutes, as evidenced by the list on the application form.

Perusing that list does not fully capture her importance and presence in the organization. She attended all meetings, clerked sales, managed shows, planned events, cleaned up, and enforced rules even when challenged. She was the face of Virginia Holsteins at numerous National Holstein Conventions.  She adapted programs as they evolved and played a key part in developing many, such as the Field Day. She kept countless Presidents straight. Her knowledge of the history of the Association has been invaluable to every board of directors. She accompanied Junior members on trips long after her own children were grown. She was the “go-to” for all questions and the lifeblood of VHA during her tenure.  

 Margie Ann’s activities as VHA Secretary may seem like just a responsible fulfillment of her duties, but it is notable that her home was 100 miles from Harrisonburg where virtually all of the activities were conducted.  In addition, she rarely missed a District club event, traveling throughout the state from Leesburg to Abingdon to Richmond. 

The number of days spent away from the farm and the miles traveled are evidence of her commitment. She attended meetings when she was not feeling well in the months surrounding her heart attack. She worked at the Summer Holstein Show while her husband was ill the week before he died. If Margie Ann was expected to be somewhere, she was absolutely going to be there. Sacrificing her personal agenda to fulfill her responsibilities is admirable even in the short run but consider that she did so for over 35 years!

With Margie Ann’s involvement with other organizations and events, there were not many weeks of her life that were not at least partially spent serving Virginia agriculture in some manner, many of them on a volunteer basis.  Her lifelong commitment above and beyond what was required of her makes Margie Ann Dick worthy of Hall of Fame recognition.

Respectfully submitted by Lois Skeen, longtime member and former President of Virginia Holstein Association