Special Tribute to Jan Harding-Ruslavage
PA Dairy Princess and Promotion Services along with dairy promoters across the state pay special tribute with this award to Jan Harding–Ruslavage who was an exceptional leader, pioneer, mentor and friend of the Pennsylvania dairy industry. Jan passed away on June 24, 2023. Jan became the first Executive Director of PDPPS in 1984 serving for 17 years. She guided the program and chaperoned the PA Dairy Princess Royalty. She then served as a PDPPS board member, co–chairperson and as an Ex–Officio board member for many years continuing to promote dairy until her health declined in recent years.
She formalized much of the present Dairy Princess program and set an example for those who have followed her to promote dairy products in PA. Her grassroots approach to promotion aided county organizations with the educational seminar and training sessions. She enthusiastically and tirelessly promoted the dairy industry across PA and mentored hundreds of young women for over 30 years.
Jan was raised in Montclair, New Jersey and graduated from Vassar College. She worked for the New Jersey Guernsey Breeders’ Association and the National Guernsey Association, as well as being the first woman director of Golden Guernsey Inc and the first woman on the American Guernsey Association Board. Jan and her husband Gene Harding established Maplevale Farm and Market, and the Guernsey Maidnear Brookville, PA. They operated a Registered Guernsey farm, dairy store with bakery, and restaurant. They had five children: Jeff, Jim, Judy, Jennifer and Greg. Gene died in 1974.
Jan married Charlie Ruslavage in 1984 and resided in Clarion, PA. She received the PA Dairymen’s Association Dairy Woman of the Year Award in 1995 and was inducted into the PA Guernsey Association Hall of Fame in 1998. Jan received the Image Award at the 2005 All–American Dairy Show and the Obie Snider Memorial Award at the 2011 All–American Dairy Show.
The Jan Harding Ruslavage Perseverance Award recognizes one county princess who has achieved second level incentives within her county while accomplishing the highest percentage of involvement in the county promotions. This award is to encourage county princesses to be the leaders of dairy promotions, excel in dedication and persevere through challenges of school, church, and other community engagements while representing and being a voice for the dairy industry.
