Mike Estadt, OSU Extension Educator ANR, Pickaway County
Bob Hendershot
began his career with the Soil Conservation Service (later changed to the Natural Resources Conservation Service or NRCS) as a soil scientist mapping soils for the soil survey program. He was promoted to a Conservation Agronomist and he and his young family moved to Circleville. He later was promoted to Resource Conservationist and finally State Grassland Conservationist in 1985.
Bob presently lives on the same pasture farm that his family moved to 33 years ago, raising sheep and cattle. He and his late wife Connie have three grown children. After retiring from NRCS, he started Green Pasture Services, a pasture consulting service that sells forage seed and temporary fencing materials.
Bob has received many honors. He was named the nation’s Outstanding Pastureland Conservationist in 1999 and inducted into the Ohio State Conservationist’s Hall of Fame in 1998. He was presented the NRCS Regional Grazing Lands Conservation award in 1996. He received the American Sheep Industry Flock Guardian Award in 2006 and was presented the 2010 Ohio Master Shepherd Award.
Bob has also been presented the Ohio Forage and Grassland Council (OFGC) Bob Evans Leadership Award for being a “champion” of forages. He has been president of three state organizations: the Ohio Sheep Improvement Association, the Ohio Association of Pedologists (soil scientists), and the OFGC. He was one of the founders of OFGC and still serves on the board of directors. He helped develop the Pasture for Profit grazing schools, the Forage for Horses, and the Equine Environmental and Liability Awareness Programs. He is a past president and lifetime member of the American Forage and Grassland Council and represents the organization on the National Grazing Lands Coalition Committee.
Directions: Windy Hill Farm is located 10 miles east of Circleville on Route 159. From Circleville, drive approximately 9 miles east on Route 56 and turn left on Route 159. The farm is on the left. Signs will be posted.
We look forward to seeing you there!