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Lebanon Valley Exposition Center, Lebanon, Pennsylvania
For our PennAg Membership’s Annual Spring Banquet
Please note that our membership’s annual meeting will take place on the same date and at the exact location, but will run from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m., with the Banquet following at 6:00 p.m.
A Look Back at the 2026 Spring Banquet & Annual Business Meeting
Thank you to all our members and supporters who joined us on Wednesday, April 1, 2026, at the Lebanon Valley Expo Center & Fairgrounds for the Annual Business Meeting & Spring Banquet to celebrate the vitality and quiet strength of Pennsylvania agribusiness, our members, and their achievements.
We had a fun evening celebrating the leaders and members of Pennsylvania’s animal ag and agribusiness industries. We also welcome two patrons to our Distinguished Service Award roster.
PennAg hosted Delaney Howell as the featured speaker for the Spring Annual Business Meeting & Spring Banquet.
In the morning, Howell kicked things off with an interactive, engaging conversation about how members can build and strengthen their personal and company brands through trust. She shares tips on the three levels of building a brand, including business succession and next-generation planning. She also reminded members that impressions are instant, but reputation is earned over time.
Following her presentation, the PennAg Board of Directors and Executive Committee conducted the annual membership business meeting.
The evening of the banquet began with a networking social hour featuring hors d’oeuvres and drinks, followed by dinner and an inspiring and uplifting address from Delaney Howell on “the Quiet Strength of Agricultural Entrepreneurs.”
PennAg Annual Business Meeting & Spring Banquet Photo Gallery
PennAg’s 2026 Distinguished Service Award Winners
PennAg recognized Mike Melhorn as our Industry Distinguished Service Award, and Penn State Cooperative Extension’s Dr. Gregory Martin as our Non-Industry Distinguished Service Award. For most of their careers, these recipients have been crucial in supporting Pennsylvania agriculture, especially the poultry industry and Pennsylvania’s agribusiness community.
Check out our videos below to learn a little more about each of our Distinguished Service Award winners!
To learn more about PennAg’s Distinguished Service Award and how to nominate an individual, click here.
2026 PennAg Industry Distinguished Service Award
Listen to Mike Melhorn, the former owner/operator of MainJoy, Unlimited, LLC., tell his story from his roots growing up in Lancaster County on a poultry farm to building a legacy business that still serves Pennsylvania’s No.1 Industry.
His story includes words of recognition from other industry leaders, who share that, from poultry handling to biosecurity, Mike Melhorn has been an industry trailblazer and a committed, enthusiastic leader in the Pennsylvania poultry industry.
2026 PennAg Non-Industry Distinguished Service Award
For several decades, Dr. Gregory Martin, a Penn State Cooperative Extension Poultry Educator based in Lancaster County, has been an essential leader and teacher to many in the Pennsylvania poultry industry.
He has led many initiatives to educate both consumers and farmers on the importance of egg quality, poultry health, and biosecurity. He has also mentored many professionals in the industry. Hear from members of Pennsylvania’s poultry industry on how Dr. Martin has made an impact in their professional lives and on the commonwealth’s No. 1 industry.
PennAg Spring Banquet Award Ceremony Photos
In addition to our Distinguished Service Awards, PennAg recognized Dr. Nan Hanshaw, Chief of Animal Health Division at Pennsylvania’s Department of Agriculture. For several decades, Dr. Hanshaw has been an essential part of Pennsylvania’s animal health program, particularly in the poultry industry, assisting with vital communication between state diagnostic labs and farmers.
Thank you to our 2026 Spring Banquet Sponsors!
