Walter Wurster Named DAS Dairy Science Distinguished Alumnus

Walter B. Wurster, a retired dairy farmer and Chester County Extension Agent, was named the 2007 Penn State DAS Dairy Science Distinguished Alumnus. A 1956 dairy science graduate, Wurster will be recognized at the Nittany Lion Fall Classic on November 10.

Dr. Terry Etherton, Head of the Department of Dairy and Animal Science, said, "Walter's outstanding career has touched the lives of many. His curiosity and enthusiasm guided him in his leadership to farmers throughout southeastern Pennsylvania. Because he farmed for 28 years, he understood the needs of farmers and could communicate effectively."

Although Wurster was born and raised in South Philadelphia and was the son of a candy maker, he chose to study dairy science at Penn State. While there, he was inducted into Phi Eta Sigma, freshman honorary; The Coaly Society; and Phi Kappa Phi. He was a member of Delta Theta Sigma fraternity, the 1954 Dairy Judging Team and Penn State Farmer magazine. In 1954 he was Reserve Champion Fitter of the Dairy Expo. At his graduation, he was a Student Marshall for the College of Agriculture, and had earned a commission in the Army and the Distinguished Military Student Award.

Upon his discharge from the Army, he worked at the Herb Gans Farm and as a herdsman at Ardrossan Farms. By 1958 he rented his father-in-law's farm in Collegeville, and under his tutelage, Wurster learned the practical knowledge needed to operate a farm. He and his wife Nancy purchased a 132-acre farm in Bedminster Twp., Bucks County - Holly Hill Farm. Over the next 28 years, he increased the herd from 40 Registered Ayrshires to 120 Registered Holsteins and farmed 300 acres. The herd had top production, 4-H show champions and registered cattle sales.

His sons, David (Ag Ec '80) and Tom (Ag Eng '85) were involved with the farm at an early age, and David took over the farming operation in 1988.

Active in the PA Farmers Association, Wurster was a state director and treasurer for the PA Holstein Association. He was named a Master Farmer in 1984.

He worked for seven years as a Penn State Extension Agent in Chester County with responsibilities in dairy, agronomy, water quality and 4-H, and he was superintendent of the PA Junior Dairy Management Contest for seven years.

When Chester County faced reassessment, Wurster developed a computer program that placed an agricultural value on each individual soil type in the county to create a farm's assessment under the Clean and Green Act. Upon its implementation by the county, the calculations protected farmland from huge tax increases based on development value. In 1996, he placed his own farm in the PA Farmland Preservation program and sold it to a local farmer so it remains an active dairy farm.

Always a community leader, he worked to secure tax relief for Bucks County farmers in the early 1970's under Act 515. In 1979 he was elected to the Pennridge School Board and served 16 years - four years as President. He was on the local technical school board of directors for 15 years. As 4-H leaders, he and his wife led the Unami 4-H Club that grew to 125 youth over an eight-year period.

Currently, Wurster serves as treasurer for the Philadelphia Society for Promoting Agriculture, the oldest agricultural society in America, founded in 1785.

After his wife, Nancy, died in 1989, he married Jean Phillips and today they enjoy spending time with their nine grandchildren, delivering Meals on Wheels, volunteering at the Dublin Fire Co. and traveling. Still busy, he serves on the township zoning board, is an election official and helps his son who owns and operates the Dublin Agway store.