ACE of the county: Cove view farms honored

Cove View Farms in Curryville, owned and operated by the Bechtel family, will receive the award at the annual Farm-City Dinner Nov. 13 at the Freedom Township Fire Hall.

The ACE Award was started as a continuation and expansion of the chamber's Farm Family of the Year Award, which began in 1970. It is an effort by the chamber to recognize all facets that make agriculture a primary industry in the county.

Cove View Farms encompasses numerous family members. Gary and his wife, Muffy, run the farm along with their son Andrew and Gary's brother Dale. Gary and Muffy also have two daughters. Their daughter Sara and her husband are dairy farmers in the state of New York. Their daughter, Robyn, is the agriculture teacher and FFA advisor at Williamsburg High School.

The farm was founded by Gary's grandfather, Glenn Bechtel, about 1935. Gary's parents, Fred and Mary, won the Farm Family of The Year Award in 1974.

"It makes you proud that you are carrying on the tradition," Muffy Bechtel said.

Gary and Muffy were pleased and surprised to win the award.

"I wasn't expecting it, I was a kid when my parents got it. They got a silver bowl for the award, that was a lifetime ago," Gary Bechtel said.

Dale Bechtel, who has worked on the farm his entire life, called the award "pretty nice".

"It makes you proud of what you have been doing all of your life, that makes it worthwhile," Dale Bechtel said.

Robyn Bechtel said the family appreciates the honor.

"Our family is just as happy to continue working in the background to support the agricultural organizations of the community and to help individuals find their interests in agriculture," Robyn Bechtel said.

Joe Diamond, chairman of the chamber's Farm-City Committee, said the Bechtels are worthy recipients.

"Cove View Farms has been a steadfast pillar of support for the agricultural community for many years, demonstrating a commitment that inspires others to engage and thrive in this vital sector. The Bechtel's open-door policy for those curious about agriculture shows Cove View Farms' genuine passion for education and mentorship, making it a cornerstone for aspiring agriculturalists," Diamond said. "By actively investing in the youth interested in agriculture, the Bechtels not only nurture the next generation but also ensure the future of farming is bright and sustainable."

Cove View Farms includes a total of 244 acres with about 180 cows and 180 young heifers. They grow corn and alfalfa to feed the herd, which consists of Holsteins, red and white Holsteins and Jerseys.

They produce about 4.3 million pounds of milk a year and send most of it to Land O'Lakes in Carlisle and Maryland. Ritchey's Dairy of Martinsburg also picks some up if they need it, Muffy Bechtel said.

The Bechtels' involvement in the community is extensive.

Muffy and Robyn have both served as long-time leaders of the Morrisons Cove Dairy 4-H Club. Several members of the family have served in leadership roles on the Morrisons Cove Dairy Show Committee and the Blair County Junior Livestock Committee. Andrew has served as a director of the Blair County Farm Bureau. Gary and Muffy have hosted numerous dairy judging practices for both 4-H and FFA members preparing to compete in local and state competitions. The family have been active members and supporters of the Blair County Holstein Club.

As the agriculture teacher and FFA advisor at Williamsburg School District, Robyn has helped countless students at both Williamsburg and other local schools. She received the 2024 Pennsylvania Association of Agricultural Educators Outstanding Agricultural Education Teacher Award.

Robyn and Muffy Bechtel said it is important to be active in the community.

"Our family tries to help others and agricultural organizations whenever we are able in order to help them succeed. Agriculture is important to the community both financially and in terms of natural resource conservation. However, we focus on helping youth find their opportunities within the agricultural industry," Robyn Bechtel said. "Agriculture provides many opportunities for youth to explore future career paths they may not have previously considered. Even if a student does not end up in an agricultural job, the skills and experiences learned through 4-H, FFA, Junior Holstein Association or a job on a farm or agribusiness sets them up for greater success."

"We like to encourage youth to stay in agriculture and find a future in agriculture. We just want to see the next generation see the value in agriculture and be involved in it. We are glad to do it, someone did it for us when we were growing up," Muffy Bechtel said.

Neither Gary nor Muffy have any immediate plans to retire and hope Andrew and Robyn will eventually take over the farm operation.

Mirror Staff Writer Walt Frank is at 814-946-7467.