Veteran Farmer Honored With Pennsylvania Ag Award
Secretary Russell Redding presented George Lake with the state's inaugural veteran Ag entrepreneurship award at Thistle Creek Farm in Huntingdon County.
Updated on Nov. 11, 2026 in Organic Food
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Pennsylvania Secretary of Agriculture Russell Redding presented George Lake, a 30-year Marine Corps veteran, with the inaugural Pennsylvania veteran Ag entrepreneurship award on Tuesday. The honor was presented during a visit to Lake's 600-acre Thistle Creek Farm in Huntingdon County.
Why it matters
The award recognizes a veteran who transformed his family's farm into a nationally recognized regenerative livestock operation, highlighting how military leadership skills are being applied in Pennsylvania agriculture. It also gives Pennsylvania farmers a new state-level model for business leadership in the industry.
Thistle Creek Farm covers 600 acres in Huntingdon County and is described as a nationally recognized regenerative livestock operation. The source does not provide production figures or sales data for the farm.
The players
Russell Redding
Russell Redding is the Pennsylvania Secretary of Agriculture who oversees the state's farming policy and programs.
George Lake
George Lake is a 30-year Marine Corps veteran who owns Thistle Creek Farm and is the inaugural recipient of the state's veteran Ag entrepreneurship award.
The details
Secretary Redding visited Thistle Creek Farm on Tuesday to present the award to George Lake. Lake and his family transformed the operation into a regenerative livestock farm, and his leadership and innovation skills from his military background have been shared with others in farming.
Timeline
Tuesday, week of November 11, 2026: Secretary Redding presents the award at Thistle Creek Farm.
Roadmap
Pennsylvania's new veteran Ag entrepreneurship award establishes a state-level recognition program that links military service to farm business leadership. Lake becomes its first recipient, setting the initial benchmark for future honorees.
Pennsylvania farmers and veterans now have a state-recognized honor pathway tied to agricultural entrepreneurship. The award may encourage other veterans in Pennsylvania to pursue farming careers or regenerative operations.
The takeaway
Military leadership and operational discipline can translate directly into successful agricultural businesses. Pennsylvania's new award recognizes that connection and may inspire similar paths for other veterans.
Further reading
For more on regenerative farming methods, explore Organic Food coverage across Pennsylvania.
Source note: This article includes information reported by WJAC.
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