Special thanks to Elizabeth Barr and Angela Clapper

SEWARD — Duane Spaulding, a 1977 graduate of Cobleskill High School and a lifelong resident of Seward, has been named the Mountain Eagle’s 2025 Schoharie County Person of the Year for his tireless commitment to the local farming community and beyond. From his early days working on his family’s dairy farm to his current leadership in grassroots movements, Spaulding has spent nearly 50 years ensuring that agriculture remains the heartbeat of the county.

Spaulding’s professional journey in the industry began at Randall Feeds, followed by a tenure at Agway. In 1985, he and his wife, Carol, founded a small excavation business, a venture they continue to operate today to support local infrastructure. His career in the feed industry saw him transition to I.L. Richer—at the site that later became Hoober Feeds and is currently Central Bridge Feeds, as well as positions with Blue Seal and Carver’s.

One of Spaulding’s most significant contributions to local history has been his unwavering campaign to save and revitalize the mill in Central Bridge. After originally helping to bring Hoober Feeds to the location, he refused to give up when that business closed. Alongside his friend Dave, he began a journey over a year ago to restore the site, which has successfully reopened as Central Bridge Feeds. His efforts have been fueled by a passion for creating local jobs and preventing the loss of historic agricultural landmarks.

Spaulding’s influence extends into the realm of national advocacy. After reading about "bale painting" in the Farmshine newspaper, he reached out to Ann Diefendorf and Jay Hoyt to launch a local campaign for the 97 Milk movement. For the past six years, he has been a driving force in this effort to return whole milk to schools. He maintains that this advocacy is not just for the industry, but for the nutritional future of his children, Bradley and Ashley, his granddaughter, Emma Claire, and the community at large.

A dedicated member of the Schoharie County Farm Bureau and the Seward Farmers and Artisans Market committee, Spaulding has also served as a vital link to the local Amish community for many years. Whether he is advocating for the preservation of farmland against solar expansion or wearing his signature cow outfit to brighten a neighbor's day, his dedication to "New York Dairy" remains absolute.

Spaulding and Carol, who have been together for 43 years and married for 36, continue to be central figures in the Seward community. His reliability and enthusiasm have made him, in the words of friend Art Boreali, "an utterly wonderful man.”