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London’s Farm Science Review location for presenting Conservation Farm Family and Excellence in Crop Advising awards

Ohio Farm Bureau had a significant presence at this year’s Farm Science Review with a building filled with interactive displays at one of the main intersections on the grounds and participation in two important awards programs.

Farm Science Review was held Sept. 17 to 19 at the Molly Caren Agricultural Center near London in Madison County.

Several farm families were honored during the Review for their efforts at protecting the environment while maintaining profitability. And the inaugural Excellence in Crop Advising Award, sponsored by OFBF and the Ohio Certified Crop Adviser Program, was presented.

The Ohio Farm Bureau, Ohio Department of Natural Resources and Ohio Farmer magazine sponsor the Conservation Farm Family awards, which have been presented since 1984. Since its inception, the Conservation Farm Family Award has honored more than 100 Ohio farm families for their efforts toward conserving soil, water, woodland, wildlife and other natural resources on the land they farm.

The five farm families, all OFBF members, honored this year:

• Bill Frankart, Seneca County;
• William and Carol Farriss, Wayne County;
• James and Judy Rex, Morgan County;
• Frank and Gayle Phelps, Logan County; and
• Wayne and June Williams, Jackson County.

The ceremony was held on the last day of the Review in the newly renamed Lawrence G. Vance Soil and Water Conservation Park, formerly known as Federation Park. The park was renamed during this year’s Review to honor Larry Vance, long-time chief of the Ohio Department of Natural Resource Division of Soil and Water Conservation.

"The 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 ODNR’s 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."

In addition to work on their farms to conserve natural resources, conservation farm families also host educational programs, opening their farms to school, scout groups, farm organizations and others to teach the public about the conservation methods they use.

Sam Speck, director of the Ohio Department of Natural Resources, said although the farm families farm different acreages, different soils and have different histories, different challenges and different goals, they "share a common commitment to conserve our natural resources."

In addition to participating in the ceremony and receiving a plaque acknowledging their achievement, each family received $400 from the Ohio Farm Bureau Federation. Jack Fisher, OFBF executive vice president, said the award program offers an "opportunity for us in agriculture to recognize families doing good things." Each family also was featured in the September issue of Ohio Farmer magazine. Hancor Inc. was also a sponsor.

Stuart Newcomer of Seville in Medina County is the winner of the first-ever Excellence in Crop Advising Award. The newly created award recognizes the vital contributions certified crop advisers make in assisting Ohio farmers as they produce crops in an economically and environmentally acceptable fashion.

Newcomer owns and operates Newcomer Consulting, a soil fertility consultation service for farmers in Ashland, Medina, Stark and Wayne counties. The nomination submitted on his behalf cited Newcomer's ability to advise customers on cost-efficient, environmentally sound fertilization practices. Newcomer combines personal service with modern technologies to the benefit of his customers and nature.

Newcomer was presented a plaque from OFBF and the CCA by Harold Watters of Union County, president of the Ohio Certified Crop Advisers Association. Newcomer also received a $500 award sponsored by Pioneer, a Dupont company. In addition, he will be Ohio's representative in a similar national competition sponsored by the American Farm Bureau and the American Society of Agronomy.

The Excellence in Crop Advising Award was established to nurture a link between Ohio's 600 Certified Crop Advisers and their farmer-customers who rely on CCAs for assistance with nutrient management, soil and water management, integrated pest management and crop production.

According to Constance Jackson, OFBF vice president of agricultural ecology, "With increasing farm size, complexity of management options and increasingly complicated regulations, we foresee farmers relying more and more on the advice of specialists who are Certified Crop Advisers."

Jackson said the award will increase awareness that "farmers and their service people strive to do their best in not only making economically sound cropping decisions but also ones that are environmentally sound."

Farm Bureau’s building at the corner of Friday Avenue and Beef Street was a popular place to sit in the shade, escape the rain, get a cool drink of water and snack on healthy Gala apples.

Various Farm Bureau programs presented informational displays and staff members worked to answer visitors’ questions.

Farm Bureau publications staffers were on hand to ask members to complete a survey about Buckeye Farm News. If you’d like to pass along your thoughts on the changed format of the magazine, you can complete the survey that appeared on page 7 in the Sept. 16 issue of the newspaper and mail it back.

Caption: Recipients of this year’s Conservation Farm Family Awards were honored at Farm Science Review in mid-September. Pictured (l to r) are award sponsors with representatives of the families: Tim White, editor The Ohio Farm; Brad Bucher, Hancor Inc.; Jason Rex, James Rex, Frank Phelps, Don Phelps, Wayne Williams, June Williams, Adam Cook, Bill Frankart, Gene Cook, Carol Farriss, Bill Farris, OFBF Executive Vice President Jack Fisher, ODNR Director Sam Speck.

Caption: Harold Watters, president of the Ohio Certified Crop Advisers Association, looks on as Stuart Newcomer accepts the Excellence in Crop Advising Award from OFBF Executive Vice President Jack Fisher.