[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 146 (Monday, September 11, 2023)]
[Senate]
[Page S4351]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         ADDITIONAL STATEMENTS

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                      RECOGNIZING LUTHERIDGE FARMS

 Mr. BUDD. Mr. President, I rise today to recognize Lutheridge 
Farm and celebrate its nearly six decades of success.
  In 1965, brothers Ted and Ben Luther purchased the land where they 
established the family-owned dairy operation today known as Lutheridge 
Farm. For many years, Ted, his wife Dot, Ben, and his wife Margaret 
worked diligently to grow the farm from a single cow to a herd of about 
150 cattle. Word of their ranch began to spread, and in 1981, they were 
named the Farm Family of the Year by their soil and water conservation 
district. Due to their love of Jersey cows, the family became involved 
in the American Jersey Cattle Association, with Ted ultimately being 
presented its National Distinguished Service Award in 2006 after many 
years of service as its president and member of its board of directors.
  After Ted passed away in 2013, the cattle operation began to wind 
down. However, desiring to keep the family business alive, his children 
purchased Ben's shares of the farm to keep it running for a new 
generation. Richard Luther and his wife Robin, along with Leigh Anne 
Wetmore and her husband Mark, worked to continue the legacy of their 
father and uncle. Ted's grandson Steven Wetmore returned to the family 
farm to manage the operation with his wife Kira, where they were joined 
by his cousins Jonathan and Lauren Luther. This new generation of 
family farmers revived the ranch and diligently worked to expand the 
operation. In 2016, they began selling dairy to local, family-owned 
cheese manufacturers.
  Although the family has recently decided to downsize the operation 
due to rising costs, the family still provides fresh dairy to families 
across the region. Bottled milk, both white and chocolate, is delivered 
to local markets in Rowan, Iredell, Cabarrus, Davidson, and Davie 
Counties.
  Please join me in celebrating Lutheridge Farm's many years of 
success. Small businesses are the backbone of our Nation's economy, and 
it is family operations like Lutheridge Farm that enrich communities 
for years to come.

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