Shover Honored with Manchester Chamber’s Friend of Ag Award

A Delhi farmer who has been actively involved in the dairy industry and numerous agricultural organizations over the years has been honored with the Manchester Chamber’s Friend of Ag Award. Larry Shover was presented with the honor during the Chamber’s Ag Luncheon on Thursday.

Delaware County Economic Development Director Donna Boss read the following excerpt as she presented the award to Shover:

“Larry Shover grew up on a dairy farm south of Delhi, where he was active in the family dairy operation. 

He attended Iowa State University, receiving a BS degree in Dairy Science in 1969. While at ISU, he was president of the ISU Dairy Science Club and member of the ISU Dairy Judging Team. He was also a member of Alpha Gamma Rho Agriculture Fraternity, Phi Eta Sigma, Alpha Zeta, Gamma Sigma Delta and Phi Kappa Phi Honoraries. 

Upon graduation from ISU, Larry entered the Iowa Army National Guard and returned home to the family farming operation. The operation consisted of a registered Holstein dairy herd and their young stock and an independent farrow-to-finish swine operation, along with corn, hay and soybean crops.

Larry married his wife, Nancy, in 1970. They have one child, Dr. Todd Shover, who is an Emergency Room Physician at the Grundy County Memorial Hospital in Grundy Center, as well as at the Waverly Health Center in Waverly. Todd and his wife, Liz, reside in Grundy Center. They have six children, Jack of Austin, Texas; twins Sam and Luke, who are currently at Iowa State University; and Reagan, Elle and Murphy, all at home.

Larry has served on the Central Area Council of Dairy Farmers of America, the Dairy Farmers of America Corporate Board, the Midwest Dairy Association Iowa Division Board, MDA Corporate Board and Dairy Lab Services Board. He has served as President of the Iowa State Dairy Association and Chairman of the American Dairy Association of the Midwest. He was appointed to the National Dairy Board by Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack, where he was elected Secretary.

Larry is an Iowa Distinguished Dairyman, Iowa State University Dairy Science Club Honorary Member, Ralph Keeling Award recipient, 4-H Meritorious Service Award recipient and Honorary FFA Award recipient. 

He has received the Delaware County Conservation Farm Award and the Delaware County Dairy Service Award. Additionally, Larry has served as Clerk of the Golden Congregational Church, on the Board of Trustees and also as President of the Board of Deacons. 

Larry was a 4-H Dairy Project Leader and 4-H Dairy Judging and Dairy Quiz Bowl Team Coach. He especially enjoyed taking his state winning teams to the National Dairy Judging and Dairy Quiz Bowl contests in Columbus, Ohio; Madison, Wisconsin; and Louisville, Kentucky. 

He has served on the Delaware County Youth Committee, Delaware County Extension Council and the Iowa State Extension Advisory Committee. 

Larry participated in Governor Reynolds’ trade mission to China, where he represented the Iowa dairy industry. He was also part of the United State Dairy Export Council Trade Mission to Dubai. 

Larry’s greatest passion remains in helping to promote family farms and agriculture in our rural communities, stressing the economic value and vibrancy which these provide to our local communities.”