LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION honoring Holst Hill Land and Cattle, LLC upon the
occasion of receiving the Century Farm Award by the New York State Agri-
cultural Society

WHEREAS, The agricultural industry is part of the foundation upon which
our distinct American heritage is built; New York State and the entire
United States is dependent on our agricultural industry for a variety of
food products; and
WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to commend the
efforts of our farmers as they continue their hard work of cultivating
the land, facing the many challenges of nature such as flood, drought
and heat, in order to grow our food; and
WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-
standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to honor
Holst Hill Land and Cattle, LLC upon the occasion of receiving the
Century Farm Award from the New York State Agricultural Society; and
WHEREAS, The Century Farm Program began in 1937, and honors New York
farms in continuous operation on the same land by the same family for
100 years or more; for more than a century, Holst Hill Land and Cattle,
LLC, a point of pride for Oswego County's agricultural industry, has
been successfully managed by the Holst family; and
WHEREAS, The Holst family's dedication to raising quality cattle in an
environmentally-friendly manner which protects land and water resources,
has earned not only the Century Farm Award, but also the respect and
gratitude of those beef farmers with whom they work, their customers,
and their neighbors; and
WHEREAS, Like every Century Farm Award winner, Paul and Nona Holst,
Jr. understand that in agriculture, sustainability means profitability;
implementing best management practices which help lower production
costs, thereby protecting the environment and attracting customers, has
enabled them to adapt to the many challenges of an ever-changing farm
economy; the success of Holst Hill Land and Cattle, LLC proves that a
farm can be run cleaner and greener and remain economically viable at
the same time; and
WHEREAS, 102 years ago, Paul's grandfather, Hans Holst, began the
enterprise as a dairy farm; in 1933, the original farmhouse was totally
destroyed when a forest fire swept through the area; the house was
rebuilt and it is where Paul and Nona Holst, Jr. live today; and
WHEREAS, At the young age of nine, Paul Holst, Jr. started to work on
the farm; during his first year, his sisters hitched up the horse team
for him (because he wasn't tall enough yet), and he took the team out to
the field to cultivate; and
WHEREAS, In 1969, Holst Hill Land and Cattle, LLC was passed on to
Paul Holst, Sr. and three years later, he passed it down to Paul Holst,
Jr.; today, Paul Holst, Jr. continues to own and manage the operation,
with his wife Nona handling the bookkeeping and finances; and
WHEREAS, In addition, the Holsts were assisted in the majority of the
farm activities by son-in-law, Chuck Gilkey until his untimely passing
in February of 2015; in the future, their daughter Toni, and granddaugh-
ters Moriah and Christa, plan to carry on the family tradition; and
WHEREAS, In 1980, Paul Holst, Jr. switched from the dairy business to
the beef business; currently, the farm raises a cross-bred herd of Char-
olaise and Angus beef cattle; they also own approximately 120 acres of
land and rent an additional 100 acres of hay land; and
WHEREAS, Under the able leadership of Paul and Nona Holst, Jr., Holst
Hill Land and Cattle, LLC adheres to the Global Animal Partnership,
5-Step Animal Welfare Rating Standard for Beef Cattle; the goal of the

program is improving the welfare of animals in agriculture, promoting
and facilitating continuous improvement, and better informing consumers
about the production systems they choose to support; and
WHEREAS, Since the farm is in the Oneida Lake Watershed, properly
controlling clean water, polluted runoff, and organic waste is signif-
icant to protecting the water quality of the lake; since 2007, Paul
Holst, Jr. has diligently worked with the Oswego County Soil and Water
Conservation District Manager and District Agricultural Environmental
Management Program to address drainage concerns and complete several
phases of the AEM process; and
WHEREAS, In 2012, a New York State Round 17 Agricultural Nonpoint
Source Pollution and Abatement Control Program Grant and a Great Lakes
Restoration Initiative Grant were utilized to install several agricul-
tural Best Management Practices (BMPs) on the farm; and
WHEREAS, Dedicated to the farming industry, Paul Holst, Jr. holds the
position of President of the Oswego County Beef Producers Association,
and is a vital member of New York Beef Producers Association, Oswego
County Farm Bureau, and the Oneida Lake Association; in the past, he
served as a Councilman for the Town of Constantia; and
WHEREAS, The Holst family has served as dedicated advocates for the
farming industry that has been the mainstay of their family for gener-
ations; their involvement within the community, as well as their beef
cattle enterprise, tells a story of stamina, caring attitude, and fami-
ly, which will carry them long into the future; and
WHEREAS, Through their diligence and expertise, the Holst family has
brought pride and recognition to their farm, the local community, and
the State of New York; and
WHEREAS, It is with great pleasure that this Legislative Body acknowl-
edges the success of this exceptional family farm and its contributions
to the local and State economies, fully confident that it will continue
to enjoy the sparkling successes it has experienced thus far; now,
therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
honor Holst Hill Land and Cattle, LLC, upon the occasion of receiving
the Century Farm Award by the New York State Agricultural Society; and
be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Paul and Nona Holst, Jr., Owners, Holst Hill Land and Cattle,
LLC.