LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION commending Kler-Vu Dairy L.L.C., of Turin, New
York, upon the occasion of receiving the Century Farm Award from the New
York State Agricultural Society

WHEREAS, The agricultural industry is part of the foundation upon which
our distinct American heritage is built; and
WHEREAS, New York State and the entire United States is dependent on
our agricultural industry for a variety of food products; and
WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-
standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to commend
the Kler-Vu Dairy L.L.C., of Turin, New York, upon the occasion of
receiving the Century Farm Award from the New York State Agricultural
Society; and
WHEREAS, Each year, the New York State Agricultural Society recognizes
families dedicated to farming, stewardship, and community involvement in
New York; and
WHEREAS, The New York State Agricultural Society began the illustrious
Century Farm Program in 1937, which pays special tribute to New York
farms in continuous operation on the same land by the same family for
100 years or more; and
WHEREAS, Kler-Vu Dairy L.L.C. has a rich history of dairy farming;
today's father and son partnership of Tom and J.C. Gillette marks the
fourth generation to own and operate this grand farm; and
WHEREAS, Tom Gillette's grandfather, Thomas Harry Cuff, was an eight
year old orphan when he was put on a ship bound for Saskatchewan, Cana-
da, where he worked and grew up on a wheat farm; and
WHEREAS, At the turn of the Century, Thomas Harry Cuff immigrated to
America from Canada and met his wife, Eva; they were married in 1901,
and rented farms in Lewis County prior to purchasing Kler-Vu Farm in
1909, which consisted of a farm house, an old barn and a garage; and
WHEREAS, In 1927, they built a new barn, which housed 27 cows, four
horses and other livestock; tragically, on a bitter cold night in Febru-
ary 1942, the barn burned to the ground; with a strong love of farming
and a will to persevere, Thomas Cuff's widow, Eva, rebuilt the barn and
hired Carl Gillette to run the dairy; and
WHEREAS, Thomas Cuff's daughter, Jeanette, fell in love with the young
Carl Gillette and they were married in 1944; their son, Thomas (Tom)
Carl Gillette, is a partner in today's operation with his son; and
WHEREAS, From a "dairy of many colors" sprang Tom Gillette's interest
in purebred cattle; from that humble beginning grew a herd with a B.A.A.
of 109 and more than 30 "Excellent" cows; Tom married Jane Sear in 1969,
and together, they owned and operated Kler-Vu as a 50 cow Registered
Holstein Dairy from 1972 to 2004; and
WHEREAS, During this time, Tom and Jane Gillette raised three chil-
dren, Brian, Tammy and J.C. (Jonathon); their son, J.C., married Kasia
in 2004, and after completing college, he returned to modernize and
update Kler-Vu into Kler-Vu Dairy L.L.C.; and
WHEREAS, Today, the farm consists of a six-row sand bedded free stall
barn, 150 milking cows, 150 head of young stock, a double-8 rapid exit
parallel milking parlor and a heifer barn and bunker silo; and
WHEREAS, Kler-Vu Dairy L.L.C. has received several awards including
Dairy of Distinction (25 years), the Farm Beautification Award from the
National Holstein Association, and All-American Cattle Awards for
Holsteins and Ayrshires; the farm was also the 2009 host of the New York
State Holstein Picnic, with over 400 attendees; and
WHEREAS, When not tending to the farm, the members of the Gillette
family are busy being active members of their community; Tom Gillette

has served as President and Treasurer of Lowville Producers Dairy Co-op,
as a Director on the New York Holstein Association, President of Lewis
County Holstein Club, as a Life member of the National Dairy Shrine and
FFA Alumni Association, and as Vice President of the New York State
Ayrshire Club; he was also appointed to the National Dairy-Board and was
named Outstanding Young Farmer by the New York Farm Bureau; and
WHEREAS, J.C. Gillette serves on the Board of Directors for both
Select Site Power and Lowville Producers Dairy Co-op Auditing Committee;
he also earned the FFA American Farmer Degree and was a member of the
SUNY Morrisville Dairy Judging Team that placed first at the World Dairy
Expo; and
WHEREAS, Kler-Vu Dairy L.L.C.'s future plans include additional farm
structures and continuing family involvement; the farm has provided them
with skills, experience and tremendous passion for continuing knowledge;
and
WHEREAS, Each family member born and raised on the farm has completed
four years of college; Tom, Jane, J.C., Kasia, plus Brian and his wife,
Brigette, Tammy and her husband, Donald and four grandchildren have all
benefited from their farm's rich history and agricultural success; and
WHEREAS, Through their diligence and expertise, the Gillette family
has brought pride and recognition to their farm, the local community,
and the entire Empire State; and
WHEREAS, It is with great pleasure that this Legislative Body acknowl-
edges the success of this exceptional family farm and its contributions
to the local and State economies, fully confident that it will continue
to enjoy the sparkling successes it has experienced thus far; now,
therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commend the Kler-Vu Dairy L.L.C. of Turin, New York, upon the occasion
of receiving the Century Farm Award from the New York State Agricultural
Society; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to the Kler-Vu Dairy L.L.C.