OHIO'S TOP CONSERVATION FARMERS HONORED
LONDON, OHIO -- Ohio's top conservation farm families for 2008 will be honored for their long-standing dedication to natural resource conservation on the land they farm during ceremonies at the Farm Science Review near London on September 18. The annual award is sponsored by the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) Division of Soil and Water Conservation, Ohio Farmer magazine and Ohio Farm Bureau Federation.
Among the families honored will be the Rethmel brothers, Robert, Donald, and John from Defiance County, John Scherer of Richland County, Robert and Karen Hunter of Holmes County, Ralph and Christine Dull and sons Kevin, Michael, and Peter of Montgomery County, and William and Deborah Shaw of Hocking County.
Since 1984, the Conservation Farm Family Awards program has recognized more than 125 Ohio farm families for their exemplary efforts of conserving soil, water, woodland and wildlife and other natural resources on the land they farm. Conservation farm families also host a variety of educational programs, opening their farms to schools, scout groups, farm organizations and others.
The Ohio Conservation Farm Family Awards recognize farm families who have gone the extra mile in protecting the environment while producing the food and fiber crops that are such an important part of Ohio's economy, said David Hanselmann, chief of the ODNR Division of Soil and Water Conservation. The practices these people use to prevent soil erosion and water pollution benefit all Ohioans, and serve as an example of what individuals can do to conserve natural resources. Hanselmann serves as coordinator for the program.
In addition to receiving $400 each from the Ohio Farm Bureau Federation, the families are also featured in the September issue of Ohio Farmer magazine. Ohio Farmer magazine has sponsored the Ohio Conservation Farm Family Awards since the program's inception. Nominations are sought annually between January and May.
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For Further Information Contact:
Jason Fallon, ODNR Communications
(614) 265-6842
-or-
Blaine Gerdes, ODNR Soil and Water Conservation
(614) 265-6938
EDITORS NOTE: Profiles of the 2008 Conservation Farm Family Award winners are below.
Area 1 Winners - The Rethmel Brothers, (Robert, Donald, and John) farm more than 2,000 acres in Defiance County. Major crops include corn, soybean, and wheat. Conservation techniques used include no-till, precision nutrient management, crop rotation, grassed waterways, managed woodlots and filter strips. They have been District Cooperators for 50 years and were named Defiance County SWCD Cooperator of the Year in 1993. The Rethmels hosted the 2007 Conservation Planning Course for NRCS involving more than 40 conservationists from around the state. They have also implemented management techniques to improve soil and water quality through the Tiffin River Watershed Special EQIP Program. In addition, they are actively involved with all OSU Extension Education Programs. When asked to describe their conservation philosophy, they replied To leave the land in better condition than when we started.
Area 2 Winner - John Scherer operates a diverse farm in RichlandCounty. Major crops include corn, soybeans and wheat. Cattle, sheep, hogs, and dairy cows are also raised. Conservation techniques used include no-till, grassed waterways, crop rotation, filter strips, systematic tiling, and managing a forested wetland. John has hosted farm tours, plot demonstrations and has been featured in newspapers and magazines highlighting his accomplishments. Served as 4-H advisor, and hosted several soil/land judging contests. He has served two terms as supervisor for the Richland SWCD and has been a district cooperator for more than 48 years. John was invited to Washington to witness President Reagan signing the Drought Relief Bill. When asked to describe his conservation philosophy he claimed to be a disciple of Louis Bromfield's No-Till No Toil, Save Soil and Oil. We are rewarded when vegetation is growing it all the time.
Area 3 Winners - Robert and Karen Hunter operates a unique farm in HolmesCounty whose fields were tilled for five generations then reforested in the 1990's. More than 50,000 thousand deciduous and evergreen trees were planted on soils from highly eroded to semi eroded. Forested areas along streams and hillsides have been left uncut for generations preserving the soils in the woodland acres. The Hunters have been district cooperators for more than 28 years. The farm has been used for environmental workshops for area 5th graders, 4-H students, and adults. Pond clinics, stream study, tree an insect identification, as well as natural prairie plant study are part of the environmental course offerings at the Hunter farm. When asked to describe their conservation, philosophy, they replied it is to inspire others to utilize and implement the same types of environmental practices their family has used for five generations.
Area 4 Winners - The Dull Family farms 2,700 acres in MontgomeryCounty. Major crops include soybeans and corn. Hogs are also raised, farrow to finish. Conservation techniques utilized include no-till, crop rotation, and the installation of 6,800 linear feet of grassed waterways. Ralph Dull has been a district cooperator since 1945. A Future Energy and Conservation Visitor's Center was been constructed on the farm to provide educational exhibits and material for the general public. Six wind turbines produce electricity for the farm. A natural-air bin drying of corn for feed reduces the need for propane. Governor Strickland, U.S. Senator Sherrod Brown and the Director of Agriculture have held meetings at the Energy and ConservationCenter this year. When asked to describe their conservation philosophy, they replied this family farm is cheerfully obligated to provide a livelihood to its twelve family employees and to be ever conscious of conservation of all people, the soil, wildlife and the atmosphere.
Area 5 Winners - Bill and Debbie Shaw farm 530 acres in HockingCounty. Major crops include corn, bean, and wheat. Cattle are also raised. Conservation practices utilized include no-till, cover crops, crop rotation, grassed waterways, and wetland creation. The Shaws have been district cooperators for more than 30 years. They are hosting this year's OFSWCD County Commissioner's Tour. Their farm has been the site of many tours to demonstrate the conservation practices already being utilized on their farm and to share plans for the future. The Shaws received the Goodyear/NACD Conservation Award of Merit as Hocking County Outstanding Conservation Cooperator - 1992. When asked to describe their conservation philosophy, it is our duty to leave the farm in better condition for future generations than when I began operating, as my ancestors have done since 1829.