COLUMBUS — Christian Hoffman of Stoutsville has been named winner of Ohio Farm Bureau Federation’s 2017 Outstanding Young Farmer Award.
The contest is designed to help young farmers strengthen their business skills, develop marketing opportunities and receive recognition for their accomplishments.
Contestants are judged on the growth of their farm businesses and involvement in Farm Bureau and their community.
Hoffman won 250 hours free use of an M-series tractor provided by Kubota, $1,000 in Grainger merchandise sponsored by Farm Credit Mid-America and an expense-paid trip to the 2018 American Farm Bureau Federation Annual Convention in Nashville, Tennessee, in January where he will participate in the national competition.
Hoffman farms with his parents, raising beef cattle, grains and hogs. He serves on the Fairfield County Farm Bureau board of trustees, has been active in the local Young Agricultural Professionals program and has participated in numerous county and state Farm Bureau events.
He has also been active in local and state Cattlemen’s Association activities, is a member of the Amanda Clearcreek Alumni Association, served on the David Lutheran Church Council and supports the local Big Brothers/Big Sisters program.
Other finalists in the contest were Nicholas and Brandi Anderson of Mechanicsburg and Matthew Vodraska of Doylestown.
Excellence in agriculture
Greg and Rose Hartschuh of Sycamore have been named winners of Ohio Farm Bureau Federation’s 2017 Excellence in Agriculture Award.
The award recognizes successful young agricultural professionals who are actively contributing and growing through their involvement with Farm Bureau and agriculture.
The Hartschuhs will receive an expense-paid trip to Nashville, to compete in the national Excellence in Agriculture contest during the American Farm Bureau Federation Annual Convention in January.
They also receive a John Deere Gator courtesy of Farm Credit Mid-America and a $1,000 cash prize sponsored by Nationwide and Ohio Farm Bureau.
Rose is a seed adviser, contributes to the family farm and manages their additional family businesses. Greg farms full time, raising corn, soybeans and operating a dairy.
The Hartschuhs partnered with two other farm families to revitalize a neglected farm property in Bucyrus, which now offers a farm market in one barn and an event venue in another. They also offer agricultural education activities on their farm.
Rose has held many offices in the Crawford County Farm Bureau, including president, Greg has been active in the county organization, and together they served on the Ohio Young Agricultural Professionals state committee.
They support FFA, 4-H and the Soil and Water Conservation District are involved in various farm organizations as well as Crossroads Community Church.
Other finalists in the Excellence in Agriculture contest were Jennifer Osterholt of Alexandria, and Terry Specht of Johnstown.
