Hall County dairy farmer Dixie Truelove was honored by the University of Georgia for her work in the farming industry and in the community.

Truelove was presented with the Alumni Association’s Award of Excellence by the university’s College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences at the association’s annual banquet held Sept. 24 at the Classic Center in Athens.

Truelove said she wasn’t aware she had even been nominated for the award.

“I was surprised and honored,” said Truelove, a 1988 graduate. “It’s pretty cool to be recognized by your college.”

Truelove is a second generation Hall County dairy farmer. She and her brother own one of only three dairy farms left in the county.

The decision to go into agriculture made sense for Truelove because she grew up around dairy farming.

“My grandfather was a farmer,” she said. “My dad and his brother decided to be dairy farmers.”

But career path wasn’t decided solely by the family business— Truelove said she has always enjoyed working on a farm.

“I really like the cows and I guess I always have,” Truelove said. “I like working outside.”

Truelove also learned the value of working in the community through her family.

“I think it was just something that we, being my brothers and sisters, saw my parents doing,” Truelove said. “Mom and Dad it seemed like were always going to some sort of meeting and they were always involved and knew what was happening in Gainesville and Hall County so I guess I didn’t see it any differently. I assumed that was what I was supposed to do as well and to stay involved.”

Truelove is a founding member of WomenSource and served as the organization’s first chairwoman.

WomenSource was formed in June 2008 as a nonprofit resource for women in the community.

Truelove also serves on the executive board of the Hall County Chamber of Commerce as vice-president of community development and on the board of the Junior League of Gainesville-Hall County. She was president of the Junior League in 2008. Truelove also serves on the board of advisors to Brenau University, the Quinlan Visual Arts Board and the Vision 2030 Board.

“It does take time away from your business to stay involved in the community and give back to the community but I just feel like in the end both benefit from that, your community as well as your business,” Truelove said. “You just make more connections by being connected within the community.”