FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Friday, August 13, 1999

Media Contact: Mark Anthony or Deb Wilson, Ohio Department of Agriculture, at (614) 752-9817, or Tim Reeves, Ohio's Country Journal, at (614) 481-6000.

COLUMBUS -- Governor Bob Taft today recognized the achievements and tenacity of eight Ohio farm families at a ceremony at the Ohio State Fair. The eight families were chosen as finalists for the 1999 Ohio's Outstanding Century Farm Awards ­ an annual recognition given to productive farms held in the same family for the past 100 years or more. One of the families will be chosen as the statewide winner to be announced at the Farm Science Review in September.

"These families we recognize today have persevered through difficult times and are dedicated to continuing a family farming tradition," said Taft. "They have seen their farm evolve from self-sufficient homesteads to farms that produce food that feeds not only Ohio, but the country and the world."

The Outstanding Century Farm Awards Program, now in its seventh year, is a joint project of the Ohio Department of Agriculture, the Ohio Historical Society, and Ohio's Country Journal. Winners are chosen for their commitment to preserving their heritage, their contribution to the agriculture community, and their environmental stewardship.

"These families have been chosen from a field of more than 400 applicants," said Ohio Agriculture Director Fred L. Dailey. "We applaud the tremendous commitment these eight families have made to our state's agricultural industry."

Governor Taft also recognized four Ohio agricultural leaders that were inducted into the Ohio Agricultural Hall of Fame. Dr. Vern R. Cahill, Pat Leimbach, James Patterson, and Ralph Cobey were selected as this year's inductees by an anonymous committee of their peers for their superior service, dedication, leadership, and contributions to the agriculture industry. They were recognized for their lifetime achievements that made a difference in the classroom, in research, on the farm, and in communicating about farm life.

• Harness Farm - Robert Harness, 29910 US Rt. 35 E., Chillicothe, Ross County (740-775-8078)
• Keener's Walnut Grove Farm - David and Karen Keener, 555 North Lutheran Church Road, Dayton, Montgomery County (937-854-2751)

• Suits Us Farm - Robert Bender, 529 Bethlehem Road, West Prospect, Marion County (740-726-2682)
• Homan Family Farm - Dennis and Louise Homan, 6915 Olding Road, Maria Stein, Mercer County (419-925-4998)

• Schumaker Farm - Jim and Wendy Schumaker, 52441 CR 16, West Lafayette, Coshocton County (740-622-8915)
• Stewart Farm - Dorothy Stewart, 6071 Pattonsville Road, Jackson, Jackson County (740-384-3702)

• Morford Farm - John and Arlene Morford, Contact: Joyce Keir, Farm Address: 9210 Ridge Road, Kinsman, Trumbull County (contact Joyce Kier - 330-394-2952)
• Arters Farm - Steve and Sue Arters, 8990 Spencer Lake Road, Farm Address: 8944 Spencer Lake Road, Spencer, Medina County (330-667-2280)

Editors: For more information on the Ohio's Outstanding Century Farm Awards Program, contact Mark Anthony or Deb Wilson, Ohio Department of Agriculture, at 614-752-9817, or Tim Reeves, Ohio's Country Journal, at 614-481-6000.