Class of 2019

William H. (Bill) Bowersock is a retired Spencer Township farmer who is well known for his affinity for protection and care of the land and other natural resources, including woodlands. He served as a Spencer Township Trustee for 32 years. Bill also served on the Allen Soil and Water Conservation District Board for 15 years.  He has championed countless drainage improvement projects in the countym and because of his experience and integrity was appointed many times by the Allen County Commissioners to serve, in their place, on drainage project boards during times of conflict of interest.

Robert W. (Bob) Mayer is credited as a very successful farmer in Shawnee Township who also gave a lifetime of service to his community. He grew his 500 acre operation into an 1,800 acre multi-generational family enterprise. Bob believed that good agricultural practices should be promoted and shared – thus he was one of the first adopters of no-till in Allen County. Bob Mayer was elected to serve as an Allen County Commissioner five times (20 years) and is known for his record of serving the public good on this large scale. Previous to that role, he was a Shawnee Township Trustee.

John R. Nixon made the cover of The Ohio Farmer magazine on March 6, 1971 for winning the Ohio Soybean Five-Acre Efficiency and Yield Demonstration in 1970. This type of excellence in farming very accurately describes John’s dedication to the industry. John was a Perry Township farmer, well known and admired as a pioneer of innovative practices in the local farming community and as a passionate, life-long learner. After John stopped farming, he focused much energy on sharing his considerable experiences and knowledge to help other farmers to improve their operations and make sound decisions.

William C. (Bill) Strayer loved being a farmer and cattleman in Amanda Township and was proud of his agricultural roots. He cultivated his passion as a student at The Ohio State University where he achieved acclaim as a top beef cattle judge in 1952. Strayer Angus Farms was long listed as one of the largest Angus herds in Ohio and will long be recognized for significant contributions to advancing the Angus breed of cattle and the industry overall. Bill achieved this success by patient industry – carefully and continually studying his herd and breeding for improved characteristics in generation after generation.