– John F. Grimes, OSU Extension Beef Coordinator
On January 21st, the Ohio Cattlemen’s Association (OCA) held their Annual Meeting and Awards Banquet at the Nationwide Hotel and Conference Center in Lewis Center, Ohio. The Annual Meeting portion of the day featured an excellent lineup of speakers on a variety of topics important to the beef industry. The Association conducted their business meeting which included the enactment of several policies that addressed important issues with impacts on local, state, and national levels. The OCA Foundation also awarded several thousand dollars in scholarships to deserving college students pursuing advanced college degrees.
The Awards Banquet annually recognizes several outstanding families and individuals that have made significant contributions and impacts to Ohio’s beef cattle industry. This year’s banquet added several deserving names to the list of previous winners. Here is a summary of this year’s winners.
Industry Excellence Award: Tom and Susie Turner, Somerset, OH
Seedstock Producer of the Year: Claylick Run Angus Genetics, Newark, OH
Commercial Producer of the Year: The Vollborn Family, Bidwell, OH
Young Cattleman of the Year: J.L. Draganic, South Solon, OH
Environmental Stewardship Award: Hord Family Farms, Bucyrus, OH
I’m sure many of you recognize some or all of the names on the above list. These families and individuals represent some of the true leaders in Ohio’s beef industry and are certainly to be congratulated on their accomplishments and this recognition. However, I have left one award winner off the above list. Stan Smith, long-time editor of the Ohio Beef Cattle Letter, received the Industry Service Award at the OCA Awards Banquet.
Here is a portion of the press release from the OCA about Stan’s award:
This award is presented to an individual who contributes to the betterment of the cattle industry. Stan Smith’s interest in cattle began when he was young on his family farm in Canal Winchester where he continues to live today. Stan has worked for The Ohio State University Extension in Fairfield County since 1986, and has been a member of the OSU Beef Team since its inception nearly 25 years ago. Throughout his time with Extension and the OSU Beef Team, Stan has coordinated a weekly newsletter providing information about the latest research and updates in the beef industry to beef producers across the state. This past summer, the newsletter boasted its 1,000th edition and currently has over 2,000 subscribers across the country. Stan was also a part of the OCA Board of Directors that took the initiative to ask for a second dollar on the beef Checkoff. Recently he received an ODA appointment to serve on the Ohio Beef Council.
Those of you who know Stan are fully aware of the significant contributions that he has made to the citizens of Fairfield County and the beef industry in Ohio. I encourage you to join the Ohio Cattlemen’s Association and the OSU Extension Beef Team in congratulating Stan on receiving this prestigious award!
Pictured from left are Matt Reese, Ohio’s Country Journal and Stan Smith