Richard McElhaney

Dick has served the GLCI Steering Committee since January of 2009. He represents the American Farm Bureau Federation. Dick was born and raised on his family’s farm with the Shorthorn herd that continues to this day. The family farm was owned since 1880 and is now the entrance to the Pittsburgh International Airport. His love for the aircraft industry was instrumental in his joining the armed forces in 1956 and served for 3 years. After serving his country he furthered his education by acquiring his Maintenance Technician License and began his employment with Trans World Airline where he worked for 31 years. Along with his wife and family they relocated to the present day farm operation in Hookstown, PA, after being displaced by the expansion of Pittsburgh International Airport in 1971. He continued his love for conserving the land, raising cattle and raising his family. Shorthorns have been a part of the family for 5 generations. Dick and Kay bought the 100 acres in Hookstown in 1971. The family leases an additional 250 acres around the township. They run approximately 150 head of registered Shorthorns. Situated among the rolling hills of western Pennsylvania, McElhaney Stock Farm is located in Hookstown, PA on the outer edges of suburban Pittsburgh. McElhaney Stock Farm was the recipient of the NCBA Region 1 Stewardship Award in 2004. The McElhaney’s also operate a retail meat business at the farm; at three local Farmer’s Markets and provide beef for two Community Supported Ag (CSA) programs.

The McElhaney’s are involved in many organizations to support conservation, grazing and the future of agriculture:

• National GLCI
• Steering Committee Board Member
• Beaver-Lawrence County Farm Bureau–Director
• PA Farm Bureau State Legislative Committee Member
• PA Farm Bureau State Natural Environmental Resource Committee-Member
• National Farm Bureau Legislative Committee-Member
• Washington County Cattlemen’s Association–Director
• Columbiana/Mahoning/Trumbull Counties Cattlemen Association–member
• Pennsylvania Cattlemen’s Association–Member
• Ohio Cattlemen’s Association–Member
• Virginia Cattlemen’s Association–Member
• WV Cattlemen-Member
• Pennsylvania Grazing Lands Conservation Initiative–Director
• Southwestern Project Grass–Past Director
• Pennsylvania Project Grass-Past Steering Committee Member
• Pennsylvania Shorthorn Breeder’s Association–Member (Past President & Past Director)
• American Shorthorn Association–Member
• Hookstown Fair Livestock & Beef Superintendent–Retired after 17 years
• Pennsylvania Livestock Association-member
• National Cattlemen’s Beef Association-Director
• Northwest Pennsylvania Cattlemen’s Association
• Beaver County 4-H Stockman’s Club-originator
• Past leader Beaver County Conservation District Cooperator of the Year