HERSHEY – Pennsylvania Farm Bureau (PFB) has presented Beaver/Lawrence County Farm Bureau member Cliff Wallace with the 2023 Distinguished Local Affairs Leader Award during the farm organization’s 73rd Annual Meeting in Hershey. The award recognizes an outstanding individual, whose local affairs efforts and activities have helped solve problems and improve rural living for county Farm Bureau members.
Wallace played an integral role in the cleanup efforts following the East Palenstine train derailment that took place at the Pennsylvania-Ohio border. Wallace, along with Beaver/Lawrence County Farm Bureau and the Ohio Farm Bureau worked with state and national officials from the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture, EPA and DEP to ensure the community maintained faith in the local food system.
Wallace was instrumental in the collection of soil samples to ensure that crops and waterways within the burn-off area were not contaminated. Cliff met with local farmers and requested soil tests and set up the location of farms for tests to be sampled. He communicated regularly with local farmers who concerned and ensured they received an answer from state and federal officials. Wallace participated in many meetings, including monthly meetings in Ohio.
Wallace was touted by state government officials for his ability to lead and collect information quickly and efficiently.
“Cliff has shown true leadership in ensuring that the local community maintained confidence in the local food supply following the East Palestine train derailment,” PFB President Chris Hoffman said. “His ability to lead in a time of crisis ensured consumers that their local food supply was safe was of the utmost importance. We commend him for his leadership.”
Wallace taught agriculture for more than three decades. He serves as President of the Beaver/Lawrence County Farm Bureau and is the President and Director of the Lawrence County Conservation District Board. He also serves on the FFA Board of Directors and the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture Workforce Development Commission and is a Penn State Extension advocate.
Wallace is a beef cattle farmer and markets his beef direct to consumer. He also grows corn, soybeans and hay.
Hundreds of farmers from across the state attended Pennsylvania Farm Bureau’s 73rd Annual Meeting at the Hershey Lodge from Nov. 12-15, to set policy for the statewide organization on issues affecting farm and rural families.