Virginia Poultry Federation (VPF) has presented retired Agricultural Education teacher Wayne Cupp with its prestigious Eddie Mason Award, which recognizes individuals or organizations for support of poultry youth educational programs. VPF established the award in 1997 to honor the late Eddie Mason, a former poultry industry executive, for his extraordinary dedication and service to poultry youth programs.
In presenting the award during VPF’s annual Poultry Youth Day at the Rockingham County Fairgrounds on April 25, VPF Youth Committee Chair Elizabeth Myers of Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services stated, “This year’s award winner is known not only to the youth that are here today, but to many of the adults as his contributions stretch for many years.”
A 1962 graduate of Virginia Tech with a degree in agricultural education, Cupp subsequently earned his master’s degree and began his 40-year teaching career, which included service in Augusta County at Riverheads High School and in Rockingham County at Montevideo High School and subsequently Spotswood High School. During his teaching career, he coached several state-winning poultry judging teams and continued coaching after his retirement in 2003. In 2024, he coached the 4-H State Poultry Team that placed seventh in the National Contest in Louisville, Kentucky. In addition to coaching, Cupp has served as the Chair of the Rockingham County Fair Market Animal Committee in support of the fair’s annual youth livestock auction.
VPF President Hobey Bauhan stated, “Youth educational programs are a cornerstone of the Federation’s mission. Wayne Cupp has devoted much of his life to fostering in young people the leadership and values that have kept agriculture and poultry vibrant and strong in Virginia.”
During VPF’s Annual Youth Day, about 200 FFA and 4-H youth, ranging in age from 10 to 18, participated in poultry judging contests and educational activities related to the poultry industry. The convention is a collaboration among VPF, Virginia Tech’s School of Animal Science, and VDACS Poultry and Egg Marketing Section. VPF’s Youth Committee also awarded industry scholarships, totaling $10,000 to Virginia Tech poultry science students for the academic year 2025-2026.
