Bill Knapke of Fort Recovery will receive 200 acres worth of Liberty herbicide and LibertyLink soybean seed as the December winner of the Real Yield Sweepstakes, sponsored by Bayer.
Growers who enter the Real Yield Sweepstakes win free seed and Liberty herbicide and local FFA foundations earn donations from every grower entry. Knapke entered the Real Yield Sweepstakes after attending a field day in Northeast Ohio. He is the sixth soybean winner for 2016.
“It’s time to switch things up,” Knapke said. “Roundup has not been doing the job we expected it to, so we’re going to spray Liberty this year to achieve higher soybean yields.”
In all, 12 growers were named Real Yield winners during 2016. The prize package includes:
material to treat 200 acres with Liberty herbicide, the working solution for weed control and real yields, and
Any brand of soybean seed with the LibertyLink trait to plant 200 acres.
Lindsay Shoup of Orville is the new Ohio Farm Bureau Federation organization director for Ashland, Holmes, Medina and Wayne counties. She succeeds John Fitzpatrick, who recently retired after 18 years in the position.
Shoup will work with the counties and Ohio Farm Bureau to develop and implement programs and activities that strengthen their organizations, serve their members and bring about positive change in their communities.
Shoup received her bachelor’s degree in animal science from Ohio State University and a master’s in animal science from the University of Illinois. While at Illinois she worked as a research specialist and lab manager. She has participated in OFBF’s Young Ag Professionals program. Shoup is involved with the family swine operation and attends Orrville Christian Church.… Continue reading
The Ohio State University College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences’ new director of government affairs comes not only with rich experience in the state legislature, executive branch of state government, and in an advocacy role for policy and funding at the state and national levels, he also agricultural roots from a childhood growing up on a corn, soybean and hog farm in Champaign County.
Adam Ward, executive director of the Ohio Soybean Association, is expected to begin his new position March 6.
“I have dedicated my career to advocating for Ohio’s farmers, and there is no better place to do that than at The Ohio State University,” Ward said. “The College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences has touched my life from a very young age. I look forward to working with the college and university to strengthen the role CFAES plays in developing generations of food, agricultural and environmental professionals in Ohio and the world beyond.”… Continue reading
Susan Shultz of De Graff was elected secretary/treasurer of the American Sheep Industry Association
at the 2017 ASI Convention in Denver.
“I have a deep appreciation for the wide diversity in our American sheep industry,” said Shultz to the ASI board of directors. “From north to south and east to west, we have variety in the size and scope of our operations, our production systems and even our marketing goals. I will do my best to represent this diversity by listening to your needs and acting to address those concerns.”
With her husband, Bill, and son, Joe, Shultz operates Bunker Hill Farm, a fourth-generation diversified family farm. They breed black-faced (Suffolk) terminal sires primarily for the western range commercial industry and are committed to genetic improvement through the use of objective measurements and the National Sheep Improvement Program. Performance criteria are centered on multiple weighings for growth and the use of ultrasounds for loin eye and fat determination.… Continue reading
Christopher Winslow has been appointed as the new director for Ohio Sea Grant and Ohio State’s Stone Laboratory, effective Feb. 1. Winslow has served as the program’s interim director since April 2015.
“Chris brings a wealth of experience and expertise to this position in the areas of strategic planning, Ohio Sea Grant administration, grant management, research, outreach and teaching,” said Caroline Whitacre, senior vice president for research at The Ohio State University.
Since serving as interim director, Winslow developed strong partnerships with universities, the scientific community, state and federal agencies and local communities, as well as many other key stakeholders concerned with the health of Lake Erie and its surrounding landscape.
One of those partnerships is the multi-million-dollar Harmful Algal Bloom Research Initiative (HABRI), funded by the Ohio Department of Higher Education, which brings together scientists from across the state to address harmful algal blooms and associated problems. The ongoing research projects have already warned water treatment plants of incoming algal blooms, developed better treatment methods for contaminated drinking water, and confirmed that Lake Erie fish are safe to eat even during an algal bloom.… Continue reading
Two Ohioans have been elected to serve the nation’s wheat growers at the national level.
Doug Goyings of Paulding was elected to serve on the U.S. Wheat Associates (USW) executive board during the joint winter USW and National Association of Wheat Growers board meeting in Washington, D.C.
Goyings is a fourth generation grain farmer with more than thirty-five years of experience working on behalf of wheat and agriculture.
“I am honored to serve this industry that is so important to my family and our country,” Goyings said. “We need a strong, united industry guiding us forward as we overcome many pressing issues including future trade agreements. I am honored to continue our positive momentum and serve on the executive board.”
Goyings is a board member of the Ohio Small Grains Checkoff and previously served three terms as chair. He will utilize his hands-on leadership experience from current and past positions during his four-year term on the USW officer committee.… Continue reading
Danielle Burch of Salem is the winner of the 2017 Ohio Farm Bureau Young Ag Professionals Discussion Meet. The annual contest tests participants’ subject knowledge, problem solving abilities and personal and small group communications skills.
The final round of the competition was held during Ohio Farm Bureau’s Young Agricultural Professionals Winter Leadership Conference Feb. 3 in Columbus.
Burch won a $1,000 cash award from Nationwide Insurance, a Polaris Most Versatile Generator and an expense-paid trip to the 2017 OFBF Annual Meeting Dec. 6-8 in Columbus. She also won an expense-paid trip to the AFBF Annual Convention in January 2018 in Nashville where she will represent Ohio in the national Discussion Meet competition.
Burch, a Columbiana County Farm Bureau board member, is a county action team leader and served on the OFBF Young Ag Professionals State Committee from 2013-2016. She received her bachelor’s degree in political science and history at the University of Mount Union in Alliance and master’s degree in education at St.… Continue reading
Ben Butcher has been promoted to Agricultural Sales Director and will lead JD Equipment’s strategy and execution for all agricultural equipment sales. Ben began his career with JD Equipment in 2009 as an equipment salesman and was promoted to manage the Marion Store in 2013. Ben is a native of Kenton and graduated from The Ohio State University with a degree in Ag Business and Applied Economics.
Arin Severt has been promoted to Turf and Utility Sales Director and will lead JD Equipment’s strategy and execution for all turf and utility equipment sales. Arin began his career with JD Equipment in 1995 as an equipment salesman and was promoted to manage the New Albany Store in 2014. Arin is a native of Springfield.
Cody Kirkpatrick has been promoted to Aftermarket Sales Director and will lead the company’s strategy and execution for all Parts and Service Departments at JD Equipment. Cody began his career with JD Equipment in 2002 as an equipment salesman and was promoted to manage the Washington Court House Store in 2011.… Continue reading
The Ohio Auctioneers Association (OAA) has recognized The Wendt Group’s exceptional marketing work by naming the company winner of four out of its six categories in its 2017 Ohio Auctioneers Association Marketing Competition.
The 2017 contest included entries from across the state. The Wendt Group’s awards were in the Brochure Design, Newspaper Advertising, Public Relations, Auction Promotion, Photography and Digital & Social Media. The Wendt group was recognized Saturday at the competition reception in Cuyahoga Falls.
“To be recognized by your peers on a state level is a great honor,” said Kevin Wendt, The Wendt Group president. “We’ve also been blessed to be affiliated with Wes Sigler and Blue River Digital to bring award-winning and unique marketing design options to our sellers.”
The Wendt Group consists of full-service real estate professionals serving Ohio, Indiana, and the Midwest, offering both auction and traditional brokerage services. They specialize in farmland, recreational land, and farm equipment and are currently booking auctions for 2017.… Continue reading
The Ohio Corn and Wheat Growers Association (OCWGA) Board of Directors elected officers for 2017. Executive committee positions include the offices of president, vice-president, treasurer and secretary. Those elected to an officer position are responsible for the implementation of board policies and procedures, as well as carrying out the roles for their respective office.
Fifth generation Fayette County farmer Jed Bower was elected as OCWGA president. In addition to growing corn and soybeans near Washington Court House, Bower is very involved in National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) as a Risk Management Action Team member and is also a former Fayette County Farm Bureau President. Last year, he served the association as vice-president.
Fairfield County farmer, Jon Miller will serve as this year’s OCWGA vice-president. Miller is a grain farmer from Pleasantville that currently has three generations of the Miller family involved in the day to day operations. He has participated in the DuPont Leadership New Century Farmers program and is currently in the NCGA/Syngenta Leadership At Its Best Program.… Continue reading
The Animal Agriculture Alliance is pleased to announce the promotion of Hannah Thompson-Weeman to vice president of communications, effective January 1, 2017. In this position, Hannah will assume a greater management role over the communications outreach strategies for the Alliance, as well as the Alliance’s issues management initiatives and other program efforts.
Thompson-Weeman joined the Alliance in December 2014 as director of communications and quickly took on the challenge of overseeing the Alliance’s media and communications efforts, including writing blogs for numerous trade publications, along with engaging members through committees and speaking at numerous stakeholder conferences. In the past year, she has taken on several additional responsibilities, including overseeing our year-round intern program, leading our Issues Management and Supply Channel Committees and planning for the Stakeholders Summit, among other things.
“Given the primary role of the Alliance centers on communications, Hannah has mastered the art of coordinating broader stakeholder input to provide a unified voice for animal agriculture,” said Kay Johnson Smith, Alliance president and CEO.… Continue reading
Carley Snider, from Felicity, attended the 2016 National Association of Agricultural Educators (NAAE) Convention in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Selected from a pool of nationwide candidates, Snider was one of 24 pre-service agricultural education students who participated in the Future Agriscience Teacher (FAST) symposium, five day professional development and networking event that was part of the annual NAAE convention.
The symposium consisted of professional development training, including instruction on inquiry-based teaching methods by National Agriscience Teacher Ambassadors, classroom management, and developing engaging lessons. In addition to professional development, attendees also participated in organizational business, committee and regional meetings.
The FAST symposium provided essential training and support to equip future agriscience teachers with 21st century science, technology, engineering and math skills through practice application in the context of agriculture. Snider attended various workshops geared towards increasing her content knowledge, classroom management skills and abilities to successfully advise an FFA chapter. Information about inquiry-based learning and how to incorporate it into the classroom, as well as learning about curriculum to increase learning opportunities for future students and, were presented to the attendees.… Continue reading
Access, affordability and excellence are three major reasons the Ohio State University Agricultural Technical Institute’s incoming director sought the position.
Kristina M. Boone, Communications and Agricultural Education department head in the College of Agriculture at Kansas State University, will start her new role with ATI April 1, 2017.
Located in Wooster, ATI is an associate degree-granting institute within The Ohio State University’s College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences. ATI provides smooth entry into the college, with all credits transferring for those who wish to pursue a four-year degree.
“The radical concept of a land-grant university is that of accessibility, and ATI reflects this like no other institution,” Boone said. First-generation college students make up 62% of ATI’s student population, and 35% are identified as low income. As with other regional Ohio State campuses, ATI’s tuition is lower than that on the Columbus campus, making it more affordable.
The measures of student success, the access to internships and the hands-on learning opportunities all point to excellence, Boone said.… Continue reading
The governing board of the Center for Innovative Food Technology (CIFT), the northwest Ohio affiliate of the Ohio Manufacturing Partnership, and a recognized leader in providing technical innovations and solutions to regional manufacturers with special expertise in the food processing industry, appointed Rebecca A. Singer as president and CEO effective Jan. 1, 2017.
After more than eight years at the helm, current CIFT president and CEO Dave Beck announced his retirement in August. Beck has been with the organization since its inception in 1995.
“Rebecca is the perfect choice to lead CIFT on its continued path of success,” said William J. Hirzel, chairman of the board, CIFT. “Rebecca recognizes the importance of the manufacturing sector to our region, and understands the tools that can be used to help it grow.”
One of the senior staff members at CIFT, Singer has identified and evaluated numerous strategies to advance emerging technologies, provided direction to many small business initiatives, and helped to establish a network of regional partners to represent the Ohio MEP throughout the 19 counties of northwest Ohio.… Continue reading
Rita Hechmer of Hilliard has been named director of digital marketing for Ohio Farm Bureau Federation. She will be responsible for OFBF’s online community building activities including content marketing, membership engagement and sales. She also will be responsible for design of web and print materials.
Hechmer has been employed by Farm Bureau since 2007 as a marketing specialist. She previously worked in marketing with Ohio Newspaper Services and Hyatt Hotels. Hechmer is a graduate of Miami University where she majored in general business with a minor in management information systems. She also completed continuing education courses in design and digital media at Columbus State Community College.… Continue reading
Ohio Soybean Association board member, Bret Davis of Delaware County, was elected to serve on the Governing Committee of the American Soybean Association. Bret joins farmers from around the country who will work to represent the legislative and policy interests of U.S. soybean farmers.
“We congratulate Bret on being elected to the Governing Committee,” said Adam Graham, OSA president and Logan County farmer. “He has been a great leader here in Ohio and I know he will work hard to represent U.S. soybean farmers well.”
Bret Davis farms on Davis Farms near Delaware where he grows over 3,000 acres of soybeans and corn. He serves on both the OSA and Ohio Soybean Council Board of Trustees and is in his second term with ASA. Bret has served as OSA President, Chairman, Vice President and Treasurer. He holds a designation as a Certified Crop Advisor and is a past president of both the FSA Board and the Delaware County Farm Bureau.
Eighteen Ohio agribusiness leaders will soon take part in the Ohio AgriBusiness Association’s (OABA) 2017 LAUNCH (Leaders Achieving Unexpected New Career Heights) program.
Participants were selected by their companies to undergo the robust executive leadership development program, which was created in partnership with Wilt Public Relations to help OABA member companies fill the looming void of leadership talent. More than 50 percent of the agriculture business workforce is expected to retire in the next 10-12 years.
The 18 Ohio AgriBusiness Association members enrolled in the 2017 LAUNCH program include:
Ohio Soybean Council (OSC) board member John Motter was elected this week to lead the national United Soybean Board as its 26th chair. He previously served on the USB executive committee as vice chair and treasurer and has been a board member for eight years. This is the first time since USB was created in 1991 that an Ohio farmer has been elected chair.
“We’d like to congratulate John on his new leadership position,” said Terry McClure, OSC chairman and soybean farmer from Paulding County. “John has an excellent leadership track record both here in Ohio and nationally. His work ethic will undoubtedly benefit all U.S. soybean farmers.”
John farms soybeans and corn in Jenera, Ohio. In addition to his position with USB, he serves on the OSC Board of Trustees, where he has held the position of Chairman, Vice Chairman, Treasurer and Secretary. John is also a member of Ohio Farm Bureau Federation, previously served on the State Extension Advisory Board, and has been an active leader on the Hancock County Fair Board.
Fennig Equipment, based near Coldwater is pleased to announce two new additions to their sales team.
Mike Shellenbarger will handle territory in northern Ohio. Shellenbarger hails from Middle Point, Ohio, has an extensive ag sales and service background, having worked the past 12 years for Agro Chem.
Kevin Toschlog lives near Richmond, Ind., and worked as an accounts manager for Climate Corp, and the crop insurance business. In addition to handling territory in southwest Ohio and southern Indiana, Toschlog will also be a part of the Fennig-Homan Agribusiness division.
Both Shellenbarger and Toschlog will handle sales for Fennig Equipment, which includes on-farm visits. They will be promoting demos for Salford and Yetter tillage tools.
“With the farming industry rapidly recognizing the value-added benefits, per bushel, of nutrient placement practices, cover crops, and fertilizer placement, demand is high for the services that Fennig Equipment offers their customers,” said Gary Fennig, president of Fennig Equipment.… Continue reading
Kayla Richards of Bowling Green has joined Ohio Farm Bureau Federation as organization director for Lucas, Ottawa, Sandusky, Seneca and Wood counties.
In her position, Richards will serve as a liaison between the county Farm Bureaus and Ohio Farm Bureau. She will assist the county groups as they develop and implement programs to strengthen their organizations and enhance their ability to serve members and affect positive change in their communities.
Previously, Richards worked for PrimeTIME Agrimarketing Network in Perrysburg, and SmartAuctions, serving as web and print manager and auction administrator. She graduated from Bowling Green State University in 2011 with a bachelor’s degree in arts and sciences. She and her husband, Levi, live in Bowling Green where they raise cattle with their three young children. She serves as a mentor for local 4-H and youth groups and is a member of the Ohio Cattlemen’s Association.
Ohio Farm Bureau is the state’s largest and most inclusive farm organization.… Continue reading
Ohio Ag Net | Ohio's Country Journal Ohio Ag Net | Ohio's Country Journal 
d-grant university is that of accessibility, and ATI reflects this like no other institution,” Boone said. First-generation college students make up 62% of ATI’s student population, and 35% are identified as low income. As with other regional Ohio State campuses, ATI’s tuition is lower than that on the Columbus campus, making it more affordable.