Agricultural Leader

Susan Truehart Garey is a natural born leader. Even her sheep can see it.

On a cloudy morning in June, Garey walked out on her Kent County farm, opening a gate for her sheep to trot through onto fresh pasture. The sheep happily followed her, bleating with excitement to munch on their morning grassy snack.

Garey has dedicated her career and life to promoting positive aspects of agriculture. She is the Kent County director for University of Delaware Cooperative Extension. She is also an animal science agent and the state 4-H youth development animal science program coordinator. Now, she can add another title: 2024 recipient of the University of Delaware College of Agriculture and Natural Resources George M. Worrilow Award.

The prestigious honor, named after a former CANR dean, annually since 1970 recognizes a CANR alumnus or alumna for their service to Delaware. Previous recipients of the Worrilow Award choose the winners each year.

"I was just shocked," Garey said. "It's quite an honor."

Garey's incredible career stems from her interest in animal agriculture from a young age. She didn't grow up on a farm. But when she was about age 10, her family moved to a small acreage in Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, and Garey became friendly with the family who ran a farm across the street.

The farm family let her raise market lambs and a few show pigs, as well as look after a horse there.

"It was not my own farm, but it was as close as you could get," Garey said. "I was fortunate enough I could look out the window and see my horse across the street out in the pasture or I could walk down my driveway and across the road to the barn to take care of my lambs or my show pigs."

Garey quickly became involved with 4-H, the largest youth development organization in the country. With a lamb - the first animal she raised for 4-H - she learned how to raise livestock for food and how to market animals. She even picked up some soft skills like empathy, loyalty and attention to detail.

"I just really enjoy caring for livestock, and being able to care for them well enough that they express their full genetic potential," Garey said. "They're a challenge. There's always something you're always reading - nonverbal signs. You have to be pretty in tune to the details."

Garey's 4-H experience with livestock as a child played into her eagerness to help shape childrens' and teens' experiences today. She provides hands-on experiences so Delaware youth can find their passion with animal agriculture. She runs Delaware 4-H curricula for cows, calves, sheep, pigs, goats, and horses;. Garey oversees the Delaware Cow Camp at the Delaware State Fairgrounds, a one-day annual event that gives participants knowledge about dairy science and showmanship.

Her son, 18, and daughter, 15, have both been involved in 4-H livestock competitions. It's been a rewarding career - Garey says - watching children and teenagers (including her own) grow from when they join 4-H.

"I have youth that start in 4-H at 5 years old, and you get them until they're 19," Garey said. "You get to work with them and see them develop their passions. For so many of them, their 4-H project work has turned into their career."