News

Northeast Dairy Producers Association Executive Director named NYCAMH Hero - January 23, 2025

Image - Left to Right: Tonya Van Slyke (NEDPA), Julie Sorensen, Duane Martin

NYCAMH is proud announce the recipient of our seventh annual Hero Award: Tonya Van Slyke of the Northeast Dairy Producers Association (NEDPA). Van Slyke has been a longtime and passionate advocate for improving health and safety on New York dairy farms. She supports the industry by focusing on emerging issues, and promotes safety training and workforce management efforts.

In the past, Van Slyke worked at NYCAMH as a safety educator and also worked with the Cornell Agricultural Safety and Health Program. When OSHA launched a Local Emphasis Program for New York dairy farms in 2013, Van Slyke was a primary catalyst behind the creation of the New York OSHA Dairy Workgroup. Over time, this group brought together the combined experience, expertise, and strengths of NEDPA, PRO-Dairy, Cornell Ag Workforce Development, New York Farm Bureau, Cornell Cooperative Extension and NYCAMH.

Van Slyke has been a key partner in safety efforts throughout the state. As stated by NYCAMH director Julie Sorensen, "I have worked with Tonya for many years and have been consistently impressed by her dedication to the dairy industry. Her tireless efforts to identify safety solutions for farm owners and provide 24 hour support to farms in the event of an emergency speaks to her dedication to the industry and dairy workers. It has certainly been my privilege to work with her over many years on our common mission to support New York's dairy farms."

Thanks to her leadership and steadfast support, the New York dairy industry has undoubtedly improved the safety and wellbeing of dairy workers. Our Deputy Director, Erika Scott, summed up our sentiments towards our NYCAMH Hero best by stating "Thank you, Tonya, for all you do for workers, farmers, and agriculture!"