Soil conservation district presents awards

GRAND RAPIDS – The Wood Soil and Water Conservation District gathered Thursday night at Nazareth Hall in
rural Grand Rapids for its annual dinner meeting and awards banquet.
Dan and Vickie Frobose were presented with the 2010 Outstanding Cooperator award; Ron and Barb Snyder
were awarded the 2011 farm beautification award; Alan Sundermeier was presented the "Friend of the
District" award. Haley Sheidler and Charlotte Freeman were recognized as the 2011 recipients of the
John Hirzel memorial scholarship.
In the election, Bernard Scott and Ron Snyder were elected as supervisors for the board. They defeated
Daniel Potter.
Scott brought a souvenir relic of the World Trade Center from the 9/11 attack. The piece was previously
presented to the Freedom Township Fire Department for temporary display.
Frobose Farms, located in Freedom Township, was selected as the "Cooperator of the Year" as a
family operation involving row crops, small grains and beef. The family farms more than 200 acres in
Wood County and finish feed more than 160 beef steers annually.
Their operation utilizes reduced tillage, cover crops and no-tillage practices. They have installed
erosion control structures including Rock Chute surface drains and a waterway. Additionally they
utilized the district’s rental equipment including drills and corn planters.
With assistance from government programs they have installed a livestock waste storage structure, and
implemented and follow a Certified Nutrient Management Plan. They have installed many feet of
conservation buffers along streams, all on a voluntary basis starting by inquiring at the Wood SWCD
office.
The Snyder farm in rural Pemberville was selected this year for the "Farm Beautification"
award. Criteria include such things as the condition of the buildings, care and upkeep of the garden and
lawn, landscaping, use of windbreaks, absence of unnecessary equipment and overall appearance.
In 1990 the Snyders purchased the buildings and 120-acre farm on Caskie Road. Over the years they have
removed unnecessary structures and improved the functionality of those that remain. The homestead
windbreak was one of the first improvements they made to the property.
They maintain a large vegetable garden which produces what their introduction called, "larger than
life" onions. They have recently established a vineyard and enjoy making wine with their grapes.
The flowers and landscaping are impeccably maintained by her each year. They have also found time to
design and install a patio.
The late Harold and Iva Lou Bordner established the beautification award in 1975 to encourage farmers’
pride in their farmsteads. The estate of the Bordners continues the award in cooperation with the Wood
Soil and Water Conservation District.
In accepting the award Barb Snyder said, "We truly appreciate being nominated and chosen for this
award.
The "Friend of the District" award honors those individuals who WSWCD officials feel have gone
beyond the call of duty in working with the district.
Sundermeier has worked with the district for many years. He has advised the board and producers
throughout the county and state with agronomic recommendations for row crops, small grains, vegetables
and most recently cover crops.
His introduction Thursday called him "a dedicated supporter of the SWCD and its mission."
The Ohio State University Extension agent has made himself available to assist in the district’s
programming needs such as a field day, test plot, producer meeting, or serving on a committee.
In presenting the award, Sundermeier and the Extension office were credited noting, "without their
help Wood County would not have organic crop trials, on farm producer research, and an extensive
knowledge base for cover crops.
The scholarships were presented to Sheidler, who was in attendance and Freeman who was not able to attend
due to her collegiate work. The scholarships are presented to a student entering either their junior or
senior year pursuing either an agricultural or natural resources course of study.
Sheidler is a junior at Bowling Green State University majoring in Ecology and Conservation Biology. She
is active in the Wood County Teen Institute and she volunteers at the Sunshine Children’s Home. Upon
graduation from BGSU, she hopes to secure a job in the environmental/conservation field where she can
take pride in making a difference!
Freeman is a junior at Miami University of Ohio majoring in Botany with an Environmental Science
co-major.
Scott and Snyder were elected to the board for three-year terms.
Scott lives in rural Tontogany and is completing his 12th year on the board. He also serves as chair of
the board of trustees for the Agricultural Incubator Foundation.
Snyder has been involved with livestock production and row crops on the family farm. He is a member of
the County Livestock Action Project (CLAP) which raises funds to improve all livestock facilities at the
Wood County Fairgrounds.
Years of service awards were presented to Dennis Ferrell for 10 years and Tom Dierksheide for 15 years on
the board and Jim Carter for 20 years on the staff.