COLUMBUS — Just hours before the Olympic torch is lit, members of Ohio’s agricultural industry will gather to celebrate the lives and accomplishments of four individuals who have been chosen for induction into the Ohio Agricultural Hall of Fame.
The Ohio Agricultural Council will induct James Helt, Don Schriver, William Stalter and R. Craig Fendrick into the Ohio Agricultural Hall of Fame during a special breakfast ceremony held Aug. 8 in the Rhodes Youth Center at the Ohio Expo Center during the Ohio State Fair.
The 43rd annual event will attract more than 600 guests to honor these four professionals for their lifetime of service and commitment to the agricultural industry.
R. Craig Fendrick has spent his entire career with Ohio State University and Farm Science Review. Starting as a student assistant, Fendrick eventually served as manager of the Farm Science Review, guiding its growth as a marketing venue for exhibitors and educational opportunity for visitors through collaboration with university faculty.
A native of Holmes County, Fendrick now resides in Sunbury.
James Helt of Mount Gilead has served more than 45 years with Ohio State University Extension and has committed a lifetime to promoting and enhancing the Ohio 4-H program.
Helt’s involvement in 4-H includes development of funding for the recently constructed Nationwide and Ohio Farm Bureau 4-H Center, serving as assistant director for 4-H Youth Development and serving on the 4-H Camp Ohio board of directors.
A native of Dresden, Helt was previously inducted into both the Ohio State Fair and Ohio 4-H Hall of Fame and the roof pavilion of the Nationwide and Ohio Farm Bureau 4-H Center was recently named in his honor.
Donald Schriver grew up in Lorain County and currently resides in Weatherby Lake, Mo., where he serves as a dairy industry consultant to Dairy Management, Inc.
Schriver served as chief executive officer of Milk Marketing, Inc., Ohio’s largest milk processing cooperative and as a leader in the formation of Dairy Farmers of America. Beyond the dairy industry, Schriver served as past president of the Ohio 4-H Foundation and as a member of the National 4-H Council.
William Stalter was raised in Lima and has served as a leader of Ohio’s green industry. As executive director of the Ohio Nursery and Landscape Association, Stalter facilitated the growth of the Central Environmental Nursery Trade Show.
The Westerville resident has received honors from the National Junior Horticultural Association and American Nursery and Landscape Association. Stalter also served as past president of the Ohio Agricultural Council.
Tickets
For further information about sponsorship in honor of the inductees, or to obtain tickets to the induction ceremony, contact the Ohio Ag Council at 614-794-8970 or via e-mail at nfo@ohioagcouncil.org.
