John Foster, Jr. was born in the same farmhouse as his father before him. He is the fourth generation to dairy on his home farm. The bank barn they continue to use today was moved from Centre County to its present location and has had four additions added to form the present freestall facility.
He went to work on the farm at a young age, often missing a lot of school. He was eager to jump in and do whatever was necessary and loved the challenge of figuring out how to use new pieces of equipment. It was not all work, in high school he joined the FFA and earned his Keystone Degree. He was allowed to play football as a Junior in high school. His senior year, he and 3 other “farm” kids formed one of the most dominant defensive lines in school history, they were nicknamed the “4 Aces” and they led their team to the District championship. Over 20 years later his high school coach stated “Johnny Foster is the hardest working player I ever coached”. His work ethic, started when he was a young man has led John Foster, Jr. to much success in the Holstein business.
John took a job with Curtiss as an AI technician, while also milking cows. He become noted for getting cows settled and while visiting herds he got to see a lot of cows and talk about breeding philosophies. The Globe-Run herd started to improve, with higher production, type and longevity becoming trademarks of the herd.
John has been involved in showing cattle, literally his whole life. He stayed overnight at the Huntingdon County Fair at age 7 and has not missed a fair since (2014 will be his 60th consecutive fair) Success in the show ring did not come easily or early for John, he literally did not get away from the bottom of the class until his last year in FFA. John continually studied the pedigrees and cows that stood ahead of him, talked to their breeders such as Mowry Farms, Singing Brook and Burket Falls and took their advise as he started to upgrade the Globe-Run herd.
He took show strings to local shows all over Central Pennsylvania, but the “home” shows at the Huntingdon Fair and Central PA Championship Show were what counted the most. Globe-Run used the shows as advertising for their herd and breeding program. The success did come as the Foster’s became perennial class winners, champions and receiving the coveted Premier Breeder and Exhibitor banners over 35 times at the Huntingdon County Fair and numerous times at the Central Championship Show. Globe-Run earned numerous All-PA, Junior All-PA awards and some All-American and Junior All-American nominations.
John also loves to show at the PA Farm Show, where they have had Grand Champion 4 times and several Premier awards as well.
Cows such as Darlene, Beverly, Oslo, Corrine and Magic were know for their show ring prowess, they all came from Globe-Run
The Globe-Run herd is also known for both type and production. They have bred over 100 Excellent cows with the highest cow scored EX-94 4E. John has also bred 4 VG-89 2 year olds. Globe-Run Formation Magic EX-90 produced a world record 2x 365 day mature cow record of 65,210lbs milk.
Globe-Run participated in many sale over the years as both consignors and buyers. They were part of the Eastern Elite Feature 5 Sale in 2009.
They have exported cattle to Canada, Mexico, Japan, Turkey and Columbia. Globe-Run V Tab Carisma was named best udder of the Columbian National Show and went on to have a number of offspring win classes at this prestigious South American show.
Globe-Run was able to have a four herd sales because of the longevity and care given to heifers and cows. The herd dispersal in 2012 was in the top 10 sale averages for dispersals in the country.
John joined the Pennsylvania Holstein Association at 16 years of age. He immediately became involved in the county heifer sale. He went on to chair the Huntingdon County Sale for over 15 years.
He has served on the County Board for over 30 years, holding most offices and serving on all the committees of the Board. He served as a State Director for 2 different terms. John has also served on the state Show Committee, Sale Committee and Ethics Committee. He and Alice have co-chaired a number of Convention committees over the years as well.
John may be best know as chairman of the Central PA Championship Show, a position he had held for over 30 years. Comments from exhibitors are best summed up by John Burket “John’s tireless efforts to make it the BEST has proven most satisfying. John’s passion for great cows and great people to come together for a good time is evidenced at that event”.
John was instrumental in getting DHIA running in Huntingdon County. He served DHIA on the county and state levels for many years. He as also served on the county Dairy Promotion Board and Dairy Princess Committee.
Globe-Run has hosted numerous judging teams, tours, judging schools, school tours and community hayrides. The Foster’s donated a piece of ground to the local ambulance company for their new ambulance shed.
John was the first recipient of the Outstanding Contributor to the Dairy Industry Award in Huntingdon County, presented to him in 1973.
John and Alice are the parents of 5 children and the proud grandparents of 14 grandchildren which keeps them active as they attend events to support the grandchildren.
John remains the driving force behind Globe-Run Holsteins yet today, since their dispersal in 2012 they continue to develop the Globe-Run “brand” and participate in Holstein activities at the local, regional and state levels.
John’s dedication to the Holstein breed has helped Huntingdon County to be one of the most successful local Associations in the state. His love of the Holstein cow and the people who work with her have been his lifetime passion. As said by former Ag Secretary Samuel Hayes “John Foster has been an effective transmitter of the Holstein story, he has been dogged in his drive to pass on the legacy and future of the Holstein breed.
Congratulations to John Foster, JR., Huntingdon County on his induction into the Pennsylvania Holstein Hall of Fame.