OBIE SNIDER AWARD
This award was established in memory of Obie Snider of Bedford County, a founding father of the All-American Dairy Show. It recognizes an individual who places significant value in service to the industry and community and displays high standards of conduct.
2026 Recipient: Dale Olver
The 2026 Obie Snider winner is Dale Olver of State College Pennsylvania.
Dale’s lifelong commitment to dairy education, youth development, and the dairy industry has made a lasting impact on generations of students and dairy youth. Dale grew up on a small family dairy farm in Honesdale, Pennsylvania, where he was actively involved in 4-H activities, including dairy judging. After earning his degree in Dairy Production from Penn State, he spent ten years with Atlantic Breeders Cooperative as a progeny analyst under the supervision and guidance of Harry Roth. In 1989, Dale began his career at Penn State, where he has dedicated years educating and mentoring students. He has coached the Penn State Dairy Judging Team and co-advises the Penn State Dairy Science Club with Chad Dechow. Under his leadership, the dairy judging team has captured three national championships and achieved more than 30 top-ten finishes at the national contest, helping Penn State rank second among universities in all-time national contest winning percentage.
Dale’s influence extends well beyond the judging team. As co-advisors, he and Dr.Chad Dechow have helped guide the Penn State Dairy Science Club to exceptional success. For the past six years, the club has been recognized as an Outstanding Chapter by the American Dairy Science Association.
Throughout his career at Penn State, Dale has taught or co-taught nine different courses, sharing his knowledge and passion for Animal Science the dairy industry with countless students.
His commitment to youth development also reaches throughout Pennsylvania and beyond. In addition to his responsibilities at Penn State, Dale works closely with the Pennsylvania 4-H dairy program and supports events such as the Pennsylvania Junior Dairy Show and the Junior Dairy Management Contest at the All-American. He also helps coordinate dairy quiz bowl and Jeopardy competitions for Pennsylvania’s Holstein, Guernsey, and Jersey associations.
Dale’s dedication to education and youth development has earned him significant recognition, including the Hoard’s Dairyman Youth Development Award and the Purina Teaching Award, both presented through the American Dairy Science Association. Through his teaching, coaching, advising, and service to the dairy community, Dale has demonstrated an unwavering commitment to developing the next generation of dairy leaders. His influence can be seen not only in the many accomplishments of the teams and organizations he has guided, but also in the countless students and young people he has encouraged and helped mold throughout his career.
Past Obie Snider Award Winners
| YEAR | RECIPIENT |
| 2026 | Dale Olver |
| 2025 | Steve Shaw |
| 2024 | Steve Cornman |
| 2023 | Dr. Alan McCauley |
| 2022 | Ken Raney |
| 2021 | Tom Kelly |
| 2019 | Patty McMurray & Steve Moff |
| 2018 | Elsie Wolff |
| 2017 | Sam Hayes |
| 2016 | Jim & Rita Kennedy |
| 2015 | Doug Evans |
| 2014 | Jane Pepple |
| 2013 | Samuel Yoder |
| 2012 | William C. Nichol |
| 2011 | Janet Harding |
| 2010 | John Cope |
| 2009 | George Cashell |
| 2008 | Dieter Krieg |
| 2007 | Berneta Gable |
| 2006 | David Patrick |
| 2005 | Creedin Cornman |
| 2004 | Donald Seipt |