The Diebold Family: Lifelong Supporters of 4-H and Agriculture

Nonie and Dudley Diebold
Nonie and Dudley Diebold

The Diebold Family are lifelong supporters of 4-H and youth interested in pursuing agriculture. The generosity of gifts provided by Dudley and Nonie Diebold and the Diebold Foundation to the UConn 4-H program have provided Connecticut 4-H youth with unique and exciting leadership opportunities at both the state and national level. These include conferences such as National 4-H Congress, National 4-H Dairy Conference, National 4-H Dairy Judging, and Citizenship Washington Focus, among others. These once in a lifetime opportunities have had a major impact on thousands of youth.

Dudley and Nonie Diebold are the owners of Toplands Farm & DD Living History Farm in Roxbury, Connecticut. Toplands Farm is a 600 acre farm that raises beef cattle, pigs and chickens, and also houses one of the east coast’s largest antique tractor collections. Dudley began his tractor collection in 1957, and although it took a few years to get to the 325 that now reside at the DD Living History Farm at Toplands, it truly is a testament to his love of agriculture and the preservation of it.

Although Dudley was born in New York City, he has resided in Roxbury for nearly 80 years, as his parents purchased the farm in 1942. A lot has changed over those last eight decades, but the one thing that has held true has been Dudley’s commitment to the next generation of agricultural youth. With his wife Nonie by his side, they have helped support so many programs that also directly impact Litchfield County 4-H members. College scholarships are given each year in the name of Toplands Farm to students looking to pursue a future in agriculture. In the 1990’s and 2000’s they could be seen helping cook for the Saturday Night Dinner at the 4-H Fair. As the years pass they have continued to show their support to the youth by attending the fair and taking the time to watch the youth exhibit their projects throughout the weekend. The smiles that these youth bring to their faces year after year is a testament to their character and their love for our 4-H members.  The Litchfield County 4-H Fair celebrated its 90th anniversary in 2023 and dedicated the fair to Dudley and Nonie Diebold in honor of their continued support.

Two groups of 4-H members benefitted from the Diebold’s generosity this fall. The UConn 4-H Dairy Judging team competed in the National 4-H Dairy Judging Contest at the World Dairy Expo and two youth attended the National 4-H Dairy Conference, also at the World Dairy Expo in Madison, Wisconsin.

All of these experiences have made lifelong memories for all they youth. Regardless of what career path they eventually choose, these experiences have made them more ready to succeed in anything they set out to accomplish.
None of this could have happened without the generosity of the Dudley Diebold Family as they continue to support UConn 4-H with their annual sponsorship of UConn 4-H dairy judging activities as well as other UConn 4-H programs throughout the year. The Diebold family’s continued and generous support of 4-H has and always will be appreciated.
four youth standing in green grass with a tree branch behind them
The 2024 UConn 4-H Dairy Judging Team
two youth members standing in front of a wooden wall with hall of fame plaques
2024 UConn 4-H Delegates to the National 4-H Dairy Conference

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Article by: UConn 4-H Combined Reports