State College – Agricultural Delegates from the 67 counties met at The Penn Stater Conference Center Hotel, University Park Campus on Thursday, May 12, 2005 to elect Agricultural Trustees of The Pennsylvania State University.

Two of the six Agricultural seats on the Board of Trustees were up for election.  Betsy Huber, President of the PA State Grange, was elected as the first ever female Agricultural Trustee for Penn State in its 150 year history.  The second seat was filled by Walt Peechatka from Penn Ag Industries.

State Representative Art Hershey, Chairman of the House Agriculture and Rural Affairs Committee, nominated Mrs. Huber for the Trustee position.  Rep. Hershey stated, “Betsy is a graduate of the RULE PA Leadership Program at Penn State and has a long history of service with the Pennsylvania State Grange, where she has served as Secretary to the National Grange Women’s Activities Director, PA State Grange Office Manager and currently Master (President).”

Rep. Hershey continued, “Her passion and commitment to the agricultural community extends beyond the Pennsylvania State Grange. Betsy is also a member and holds elected positions with various other organizations, such as the Pennsylvania Agriculture Air Quality Task Force, Keystone Agriculture Innovation Center, PA Department of Agriculture’s Agricultural Education Advisory Committee, Pennsylvania Farm Link, University of Pennsylvania Veterinary School, Chester County Pomona Grange, the Goshen Grange and the Township Agricultural Security Area Advisory Committee.”

Betsy lives with her husband Henry in Upper Oxford Township, Chester County, where she is a township supervisor and Treasurer of the Chester County Association of Township Officials.

Rep. Hershey closed his nomination by saying, “Betsy is an honest, caring and hardworking woman. She has a strong, loving family and is truly dedicated to her local residential community, the agricultural community as a whole, and the betterment of our Commonwealth.”  He said, “I can think of no person better suited for the position of Trustee than her.”

The Grange is a family fraternal organization dedicated to the betterment of rural America through community service, education, legislation and fellowship.  The Grange includes members of all ages from their Junior Grangers (ages 5-14), Youth Members (ages 14-24), Young Adults (ages 21-35) and Regular Community (Local) members (age 14 and up).  The Grange represents approximately 16,000 Pennsylvanians across the Commonwealth.  It is the oldest agricultural organization of its kind in the United States. The National Grange (Patrons of Husbandry), representing about 300,000 members, began in 1867 and the PA State Grange was chartered in 1873.