The Dairy Beef Project focuses on raising a dairy-breed steer or crossbred steer for the market. Youth learn about nutrition, handling, grooming, and preparing their animal for fair competition. This project teaches commitment, strength of character, and the importance of high-quality meat production within the dairy industry.
Meeting Material and Dates
Upcoming Meetings:
April 13th– Lebanon Expo @ 7:00pm. Deworming, Implants and Summer Rations. Meat & Feed Identification.
June 11th at 7pm. Showmanship and Fitting at the Nolts – 500 Weavertown Road, Myerstown. Project books due for pre-fair check – feed and animals must be entered and up-to-date, bring a snack to share.
July 21st – Pen Setup – Bring rakes, forks, etc. Pens will be assigned later that night.
Meet your Leader
Duane Nolt | Leader, Dairy Beef Club & Advocate for Youth and Agriculture
Duane Nolt is a dedicated leader and advocate within Lebanon County’s agricultural and youth communities. His commitment to the dairy industry and passion for youth development have shaped his career and volunteer work over several decades.
Growing up on a dairy farm in Richland, Pennsylvania, Duane developed an early interest in animal nutrition and dairy management. His formative years were spent fitting and exhibiting dairy animals at local events such as the Lebanon Fair and the Pennsylvania Farm Show. During this time, he was fitting for other exhibitors at various shows and sales.
After graduating from high school in 1995, Duane began his professional journey with K&K Feeds as a Dairy Nutritionist. His expertise and dedication led him to become the owner of the business in 2014. In this role, he continues to advise and support customers with their livestock, agronomy, and feed needs. Duane’s practical knowledge and hands-on approach have made him a trusted resource in the agricultural community.
Duane’s leadership extends beyond his professional life. In 2013, he was instrumental in developing the initial concept for the Dairy Beef Club and currently serves as its organizational leader. His commitment to youth is evident in his long-standing service as a Junior Holstein Dairy Quiz Bowl Coach for over thirty years, during which he traveled with teams to numerous state and national conventions.
His community service also includes active participation on various committees, such as the Lebanon County Holstein Club, the National Holstein Convention Committee, Penn Ag Industries, and the Agricultural Advisory Committee for the ELCO School District. Duane’s unwavering support for youth is showcased by his presence and encouragement at shows and fairs throughout the year.
Duane and his wife Kathy reside in Myerstown, PA, where they operate a small farmette, raising butcher beef cattle. Together, they have four children, all of whom have participated in raising and showing a variety of livestock, including dairy, dairy beef, pigs, and market steers over the past 14 years. Family involvement in agriculture is a core value for the Nolts.
Outside of his professional and community commitments, Duane enjoys spending time at the cabin, riding ATVs, and smoking meat. These activities provide him with relaxation and enjoyment away from his busy schedule.
Duane Nolt’s lifelong dedication to agriculture, youth development, and community service has made a lasting impact in Lebanon County and beyond. His leadership, expertise, and passion continue to inspire those around him.
Jessica Spangler currently serves as a leader of the Dairy Beef Club, as well as the NoSoAnn 4-H Dairy Club. Jessica grew up exhibiting her Holsteins and Jerseys at the Lebanon Fair, as well as other shows across the country.
She graduated from Penn State with a degree in Animal Sciences and worked as the Market Editor for Lancaster Farming newspaper for several years before spending time at home with her young children.
Jessica currently works for The WebstaurantStore as a software product owner, helping to design and create the software programs that are used to run the company’s warehouses throughout the country.
Jessica and her husband, Joe, live in Lebanon, PA with their children, Brady and Makenna. Brady spends most of his time raising a few show heifers and participating at events from the Lebanon Fair to the All-American Dairy Show. Makenna also shows dairy calves but spends most of her time showing and
jumping horses.
LebCo Ag Club 