Buckeye People

Farm Credit Services of Mid-America, a $17.5 billion financial services cooperative serving more than 92,500 farmers and rural residents in Kentucky, Ohio, Indiana and Tennessee, has announced that five customer-members have been elected to the organization’s Board of Directors.

The elected board members include new members Kaye Hurst Whitehead of Muncie, Ind., and Brandon Robbins of Cookeville, Tenn. The incumbents are Dan Flanagan of Campbellsville, Ky., and Andrew Wilson of Somerset, Ohio. Their terms run through October 2015. Additionally, Kathryn Eschbacher-Timberlake of Mauckport, Ind., was elected to fill a vacancy on a two-year term. Her term runs through October 2013.

They are a part of an 18-person board who meet monthly in Louisville, Ky., the cooperative’s headquarters, where they set policies and the overall direction for the association. Additionally, Farm Credit owner-members elected a 20-person nominating committee who will meet next June to select candidates for the 2012 cooperative elections. More than 8,000 members cast ballots in the elections.… Continue reading

Bob Siegel was named vice president of Credit for Producers Credit Corporation (PCC) effective Sept. 26. As vice president of Credit, Siegel will provide strategic direction and leadership for the cooperative’s financing solutions as well as the regional credit officers and corporate PCC staff.

“We are looking forward to having Bob as a part of our senior management team,” said Dennis Bolling, president and CEO of United Producers Inc. (UPI). “His extensive banking and finance credentials will be a great asset to UPI, its members and employees.”

Most recently, Siegel was an officer at a commercial bank in Mansfield, Ohio. Siegel and his wife, Kim, reside in Bucyrus along with their four children. He grew up on a farm near Johnstown.… Continue reading

The National FFA Association has an all time record membership announced at the National Convention in Indianapolis – 540,379 FFA members. Despite the increased competition from more FFA members from around the country than ever before, Ohio is holding its own in terms of national level competitors.

“One thing that the Ohio FFA is very excited about is that we have 14 national proficiency finalists this year, which is the most we’ve had in a long time,” said Leah Amstutz, the executive secretary of the Ohio FFA Association. “We also have the Ridgemont FFA chapter that did very well and we have several Chapters like the Fayetteville Chapter and the Versailles Chapter that will be recognized for being three star chapters in the national chapter award program.”

In addition, Ohio has a National Officer finalist with Amy Jo Frost and competitors in the National Ag Issues Forum and the speaking contest.… Continue reading

Champaign County and Ohio agriculture is mourning the loss of Dr. Judy Sanders, the wife of noted veterinarian Don “Doc” Sanders. She passed away with Doc at her side on the morning of Oct. 15, 2011.

With her husband, she served as the Champaign County Fair veterinarian for 37 years where she not only treated sick livestock projects and counseled young exhibitors, but also was an avid supporter of 4-H and its ideals.

She was born Oct. 2, 1944 to Elmer and Hazel (Foor) Sauerbrei in Amanda, Ohio. She grew up on the family farm with an avid interest in animals. She graduated valedictorian of her class at Amanda-Clearcreek High School in 1962.

Judy met Don upon entry into veterinary college and married him four years later on March 17, 1968. After graduating from the College of Veterinary Medicine at The Ohio State University in 1968, the young couple started a practice at Urbana after graduation – a very unorthodox decision for the times.… Continue reading

Anna Hall has been named Ohio Farm Bureau Federation’s (OFBF) organization director for Fairfield, Hocking, Perry, Pickaway and Ross counties. She will work with county Farm Bureau leaders to improve their local communities and strengthen their organization.

Hall is a 2011 graduate of Ohio State University where she earned a bachelor’s degree in agricultural communications with a minor in animal science. While in college she held internships with OFBF’s public policy department, Select Sires and Nationwide Agribusiness, was a member of Phi Sigma honorary sorority and active in Agricultural Communicators of Tomorrow. She is a former state officer for The Ohio FFA Association. Hall grew up on a small family farm raising beef cattle and small animals.

“Anna brings with her a solid background in agriculture and the ability to work effectively with our volunteers,” said Brian Peach, OFBF vice president, organization.

Ohio Farm Bureau is the state’s largest farm organization.… Continue reading

Ken Cochran, program director of Ohio State University’s Secrest Arboretum in Wooster, has been named an honorary member of The Garden Club of America, one of the group’s highest accolades. Cochran was recognized during a presentation at the GCA’s annual meeting earlier this year.

In honoring Cochran, the GCA acknowledged his “lifetime of devotion to furthering landscape and horticultural excellence.” Honorary members of GCA are men and women of distinction in the fields of horticulture or conservation who are not nor have ever been members of a GCA club. Honorary membership is limited to 75 individuals, and a maximum of four are selected each year. The Akron Garden Club, a member of the GCA, nominated Cochran for the recognition.

Cochran has 47 years’ experience in the application of science and technology to landscape horticulture plus 22 years in the teaching field. He became curator and program director of Secrest Arboretum in 1984.… Continue reading

On Sept. 27, Gov. John Kasich appointed G. Gary Kaster of McConnelsville (Morgan County) to serve as a member of the Forestry Advisory Council for a term beginning Sept. 27, 2011, and ending Feb. 27, 2015.… Continue reading

Gov. John Kasich has announced two appointments to the Ohio Soil and Water Conservation Commission. Frederick M. Cash of Richmond Heights (Cuyahoga County) has been reappointed to serve as a member of the Commission for a term beginning Sept. 28, 2011, and ending June 30, 2015. Etta Marie Reed of West Chester (Butler County) has been appointed for a term beginning Sept. 28, 2011, and ending June 28, 2013.… Continue reading

Osborne Industries announces that Brian Strobel has been named livestock equipment innovation manager. With a customer centric focus, Strobel will lead Osborne Industries in developing customized solutions for swine producers.

Strobel brings extensive experience and knowledge of the swine industry and the unique equipment challenges producers face. He has eight years of practical swine management, construction and maintenance experience. He was previously with Murphy-Brown LLC, Lucent Technologies and Environmental Management Solutions, LLC.

A native of Ohio, Strobel holds a bachelor’s in agricultural systems from Ohio State University, a certificate in civil engineering technology from Edison State College, a master’s in agricultural engineering from Purdue University, an MBA in business administration from Ohio University, and is a certified professional engineer.

Osborne Industries, Inc. is a diversified developer and manufacturer of livestock management equipment and custom-engineered systems. For more information about Osborne Industries livestock equipment, visit www.osbornelivestockequipment.com or e-mail info@osborne-ind.com.… Continue reading

Parwinder Grewal, professor of entomology, was honored with The Ohio State University’s Distinguished Scholar Award. Grewal was among six Ohio State faculty members to receive the distinction at a ceremony on the Columbus campus. He is based in Wooster at the Ohio Agricultural Research and Development Center, and also has an appointment with Ohio State University Extension.

Through the use of entomopathogenic nematodes, or roundworms, Grewal has made important contributions to the mitigation of insect pests in both agricultural and urban settings. His work, which provides safe, effective “green” methods for controlling insect pests, spans several organizational levels — from the subcellular to the ecosystem.

Grewal’s research has resulted in seven invention disclosures and three patents. He is the author of the most cited paper in the field of entomopathogenic nematology and has published 133 peer-reviewed papers. Grewal is also past president of the Society of Nematologists.

Grewal started his career at Ohio State in 1997.… Continue reading

Molly Brock has been selected as the County Executive Director (CED) for the Marion County Farm Service Agency office. Brock graduated from Purdue University in 2003, with a bachelor’s degree in agricultural communication with a minor in communication. After graduation, she accepted a post graduate internship with Purdue University in the Department of Agricultural Communication. Later that year, she began to work as a temporary writer and Web editor with Purdue University in the Department of Agricultural Communication.

In 2005, Brock began to work for Univertical Corporation in Angola, Ind. as a marketing coordinator. A year later, she accepted a position with FSA as a program technician for Marshall County, in Plymouth, Ind. Wanting to return to Ohio, Brock applied and was selected into the County Operations Trainee (COT) program in 2009. After completing the formal COT training program, she was stationed at the Ohio FSA state office and in various county offices where she continued to learn from the FSA County office employees.… Continue reading

Rattan Lal, a preeminent soil scientist in Ohio State University’s College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences (CFAES), has been designated as a Distinguished University Professor — the highest faculty honor bestowed by the university upon individuals with exceptional records in teaching, research and service.

A professor in CFAES’s School of Environment and Natural Resources, Lal’s work focuses on carbon sequestration (the storage of carbon in soils and plants), studying soils in the United States, Africa, Latin America and India, and aiding in applying the technique of no-till to farms throughout the world.

Director of the Carbon Management and Sequestration Center at Ohio State’s Ohio Agricultural Research and Development Center (OARDC), Lal’s other areas of research include soil processes and atmospheric greenhouse effects, sustainable management of soil and water resources, restoration and rehabilitation of degraded soils, agro-forestry, tropical agriculture, and agricultural development in the Third World.

Lal grew up on a small farm in Punjab, India.… Continue reading

Members of the National Institute for Animal Agriculture re-elected the Ohio Department of Agriculture’s Tony Forshey, to his second termon NIAA’s 21-member Board. Forshey is the ODA state veterinarian.

NIAA’s Board guides the organization’s members that include national and state livestock organizations, poultry and equine organizations, producers, veterinarians, government regulatory personnel, academia, researchers, extension specialists and allied industry businesses. These members are from across animal agriculture: the beef, dairy, equine, goat, poultry, sheep and swine industries.

NIAA members address animal agriculture opportunities and challenges by providing input at the organizations five Species Committees — Bovine, Equine, Poultry, Small Ruminant and Swine — and six Issues Councils — Animal Agriculture Advocacy, Animal Care, Animal Health Emergency Management, Animal Identification & Information Systems, Emerging Diseases and Global Animal Health, Food Security and Trade.… Continue reading

Spencer Waugh has joined Ohio Farm Bureau Federation (OFBF) as director of legislative relations. He is responsible for strengthening the organization’s policy objectives through analysis of proposed legislation and regulation. He also will represent the organization before the General Assembly and state agencies and departments.

Waugh previously was policy director for the Ohio Board of Regents, legislative aid for Ohio Senate Agriculture Committee Chairman Cliff Hite, House Agriculture Committee Chairman Dave Hall and Rep. Tom Brinkman.  He also served as a page in the Ohio House.  Waugh is a graduate of Ohio State University with a degree in history. He and his wife, Sydney, reside in Hilliard.

“Spencer has a great deal of experience working with legislators and will do a great job helping Farm Bureau members accomplish their policy goals,” said Keith Stimpert, OFBF senior vice president, public policy.… Continue reading

Change was a consistent theme throughout Dairy Farmers of America, Inc.’s (DFA) 13^th Annual Meeting. More than 1,300 members and industry guests convened for the meeting, which emphasized the Cooperative’s focus and determination to embrace the need for change in the dairy industry.

At the meeting, the 2011 Members of Distinction were introduced. Each year, the Cooperative honors one member farm from each of DFA’s seven regional Areas demonstrating exemplary vision, leadership and innovation in the dairy industry. The 2011 honorees included Ohio’s Spring-Run Farms, Shreve.

In addition, outgoing Board member Urban Mescher, Maria Stein, were recognized for his contributions to the Cooperative, and Chuck Moellendick, Pleasantville, was seated as an incoming director.… Continue reading

Terry Niblack is proud to be sitting at the helm of “what’s arguably the best plant pathology department in the country.”

Niblack, who took the reins as chair of Ohio State University’s Department of Plant Pathology on Aug. 16, admits she feels like she can brag about the department, because its reputation preceded her.

The National Research Council has ranked the department’s graduate program among the best in the country for years. Now, Niblack will enjoy the challenge of “increasing the gap between us and the also-rans,” she said, smiling, and also launching a newly created master’s degree in plant health management as well as a bachelor’s degree in plant pathology.

“Plant pathology has traditionally been graduate study, because there’s so much detail one has to master in the field,” Niblack said. “But lately, industry — including seed companies and plant breeding programs — has seen the need for pathologists with broad training.… Continue reading

After 15 years of serving Ohio’s grain industry, Ohio Corn & Wheat Growers Association (OCWGA) CEO, Dwayne Siekman, is stepping down to pursue new career opportunities.

“I’m proud to say that we’ve achieved many goals and accomplishments with the association and agricultural community throughout the years for the betterment of our farmers, ag economy and our state,” Siekman said. “After thoughtful consideration, I’m ready to tackle new challenges in my professional career.”

Siekman and OCWGA worked to address domestic and international issues that affect the success of Ohio’s corn and wheat markets, including ethanol, livestock, trade, environment and transportation issues, as well as federal farm programs, research and marketing programs.

Siekman began his relationship with the Ohio Corn Growers Association (OCGA) and the Ohio Corn Marketing Program (OCMP) in 1996 as director of programs and in 2004 was selected as its executive director.  In 2005 he began managing the Ohio Wheat Growers Association (OWGA).… Continue reading

The longest-tenured dean at The Ohio State University announced his transition plans today.

Bobby D. Moser, vice president for Agricultural Administration and dean of the College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences (CFAES), said he would step down as dean once his replacement is found.  He has agreed to stay on during a transitional period to assist a new dean and will be accepting some new assignments once the search is completed.

As vice president for agricultural administration, Moser oversees the college, Ohio State University Extension, the Ohio Agricultural Research and Development Center (OARDC), and the Agricultural Technical Institute (ATI). This includes 1,900 faculty and staff, 3,200 students, and an annual budget of $195 million.

Moser has served as vice president and dean at CFAES for nearly 20 years.  He is also executive dean of the university’s professional colleges and served as vice president for university outreach from 2001 to 2008.… Continue reading

The longest-tenured dean at The Ohio State University announced his transition plans today.

Bobby D. Moser, vice president for Agricultural Administration and dean of the College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences (CFAES), said he would step down as dean once his replacement is found.  He has agreed to stay on during a transitional period to assist a new dean and will be accepting some new assignments once the search is completed.

As vice president for agricultural administration, Moser oversees the college, Ohio State University Extension, the Ohio Agricultural Research and Development Center (OARDC), and the Agricultural Technical Institute (ATI). This includes 1,900 faculty and staff, 3,200 students, and an annual budget of $195 million.

Moser has served as vice president and dean at CFAES for nearly 20 years.  He is also executive dean of the university’s professional colleges and served as vice president for university outreach from 2001 to 2008.… Continue reading

Direct Enterprises Inc., an independent provider of agricultural products and services, announces the addition of Mitch Ray to its sales team. Ray will be responsible for the sale of soybean genetics, seed treatments, inoculants and other seed treatment additives to independent seed companies in Illinois, Indiana, Michigan and Ohio. In addition, he will be selling seed treating equipment and handle seed treatment sales to seed companies and dealers in Michigan.

Ray is a graduate of the University of Nebraska School of Technical Agriculture with an associate’s degree in horticulture. He grew up on a grain and cattle farm in Tekamah, Neb. For more information, call Ray at 989-640-5565.… Continue reading