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Much of Ohio’s strength as an agricultural state is due to the efforts of professional educators who teach, research and extend new knowledge to the farming community. At this year's annual meeting, two long-time Ohio State University leaders were presented with OFBF’s Cooperative Educator Award. Bernie Erven and Craig Fendrick were recognized for their educational contributions to Ohio.

Erven served on the faculty of Ohio State University in the Department of Agricultural Economics from 1969 until his retirement in December 2003. He is nationally recognized in the areas of agricultural labor and human resources and has won numerous teaching awards. His commitment to sharing his knowledge continues to be an asset to farmers and other professionals.

Fendrick served as director of the Farm Science Review for 23 years until his retirement this summer. He began with the Review as a student services assistant in 1966 and eventually became manager in 1981. During his tenure at the Review, he successfully transferred the show to the Molly Caren Agricultural Center. By keeping the Farm Science Review a premier event, Fendrick displayed that agriculture remains a vibrant part of Ohio's economy.

Caption: Craig Fendrick (left) and Bernie Erven, winners of OFBF’s Cooperative Educator Award, each made significant contributions to Ohio State students and Ohio’s farm community as a whole.