Ralph and Barbara Ross founded Ross Dairy, whose milking barn and facilities are centered along the lower end of the Jonathan Creek community. The dairy now involves three generations of farmers, with some of those among the fourth generation being raised on the farm. The Rosses have supported the livestock community in Western North Carolina for more than half a century.

“Over the years, hundreds of young people from 4-H camps, young farmers and ranchers, FFA groups and school groups have benefited from Ralph and Barbara and their dairy cattle,” said Troxler, who visited the farm in August. “Many young people may not have been able to show dairy cattle had it not been for their generosity in sharing time and resources. They have been a part of the Mountain State Fair livestock shows as well as their own Haywood County Fair for decades.”

For more than 60 years Ralph and Barbara have managed the dairy, with Ralph as a dairy farmer and Barbara serving as bookkeeper and homemaker. They have three children, Deana, Ferguson and Hank, six grandchildren and six great-grandchildren, with another one due in January. The Ross children and grandchildren all grew up showing dairy cattle.

Ralph has served on the Haywood County Fair Board and Haywood County Planning Board. He also served on the Haywood County Farm Bureau Board of Directors. As a director he has represented Haywood County and the North Carolina State Dairy Advisory Committees. Both Ralph and Barbara have also served on many committees for Haywood County Farm Bureau. In 2001, they were named the Area 1 Soil and Water Conservation Family of the Year. In 2015, the Rosses were honored with a tribute of service award for excellence in agriculture and service to agriculture in Haywood County.

“The Ross family has an attitude of service towards their community,” said Troxler. “They are always willing to help with anything that needs to be done. Whether it is providing animals or hauling saw dust, they are there to support the livestock programs and youth.”

L.T. Ward is a longtime board member of WNC Communities. “All of us in North Carolina, and especially Western North Carolina, owe a debt of gratitude to the lifelong work of L.T. in improving and growing agriculture in our state,” said Troxler. “One of his biggest accomplishments has been his leadership in developing a plan for meeting the needs of livestock producers in Western North Carolina with the creation of the Western North Carolina Regional Livestock Center in Canton.”

WNC Communities, with L.T.’s leadership, are custodians for the WNC Beef Cattle Commission and WNC Dairy Commission. For decades, these programs have supported Junior Beef and Junior Dairy Shows at the Mountain State Fair. It is with his continued support that the programs at the fair continue to grow and benefit countless youth.

“Anyone who knows L.T. will tell you that his driving mission in life has been to improve the quality of life in rural western North Carolina,” said Troxler. “He does this by making connections between nonprofits, government agencies, funding groups and businesses. So many organizations, including the Western North Carolina Ag Center and Mountain State Fair, have benefited from his efforts. I have had the honor to work with L.T. on many projects over the years and admire his leadership and make-it-happen attitude.”

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