Names sought for Women in Ag Awards

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. — Purdue University extension is accepting nominations for the 2011 Women in Agriculture Awards.

The annual awards recognize women who have provided leadership and made positive contributions to Indiana agriculture through their involvement in an Indiana agricultural enterprise, agribusiness, farm or commodity organization, said Christa Holloway, extension educator in Fulton County and awards coordinator.

Two will be presented: The Achievement Award honors a woman who has been active in Indiana agriculture primarily through a home farm operation or agribusiness. The Leadership Award is given to a woman who serves in an agribusiness or policymaking position. A nomination form is available online at www.agriculture.purdue.edu/wia/index.htm

The Purdue Women in Agriculture Team will present the awards during Purdue Day at the Indiana State Fair on Aug. 12. The 2010 winners were Louise Beaman of Johnson County and Carolyn Hegel of Wabash County.

FCS board names Bill Johnson CEO

LOUISVILLE, Ky. — The board of directors of Farm Credit Services of Mid-America (FCS) announced it has selected Bill Johnson as the company’s new president and CEO-elect.

Johnson comes to FCS from AgriBank of St. Paul, where he was executive vice president – Business Services. He has had a 28-year career within the Farm Credit System, starting with FCS as a credit analyst in Huntingburg, Ind., and eventually being named vice president of credit at Farm Credit Services of Mid-America in Louisville.

Johnson will succeed Donnie Winters, who has served as Farm Credit’s president and CEO since 1989. Winters recently announced that he will retire from Farm Credit after a 40-year career. Johnson holds a finance degree from the University of Evansville and an MBA from Gonzaga University.

I&I Tractor Club honors editor Schaefer

PENFIELD, Ill. — The I&I Tractor Club of Penfield bestowed an award of appreciation on Sherry Schaefer during a recent meeting. She is an active supporter of the organization and is avidly involved with many of their projects and promotions.

Schaefer was presented with an award of appreciation in the form of a large plaque and an etched walnut executive-style clock. Darius Harms, vice-president of the I&I club, organized the arrangement.

Schaefer is the owner of 3-Point Ink, LLC and the editor of Oliver Heritage and Heritage Iron magazines. Oliver Heritage focuses on all things Oliver, White and Cletrac and Heritage Iron features “muscle tractors,” including every brand, make and model produced between 1960 and 1985.

OPPC names new officers and a new hire

COLUMBUS, Ohio — The Ohio Pork Producers Council (OPPC) recently elected its new officers for the upcoming year. Each individual has made a great contribution to the pork industry and has committed time and effort to the success of OPPC.

Todd Stickley, OPPC president, works for Kalmbach Swine Management in Upper Sandusky, Ohio. He resides near Urbana with his wife, Hope. Jim Heimerl, OPPC president-elect, and his wife, Kathy, are owners of Heimerl Farms, a family-run operation outside Johnstown.

Bill Fricke, OPPC vice president, is the owner of Archbold Elevator. He and his wife, Lynette, reside near Archbold. Jim Albaugh, OPPC past president, has been involved with OPPC for more than 10 years. He and his wife, Dixie, live in West Milton.

Randy Brown will be completing his sixth year on the National Pork Board. He and his wife, Chris, reside in Nevada, Ohio. Each individual will hold their elected position for two terms representing the Ohio pork industry on a local, state and national level.

Also recently, Margo Overholt was named the OPPC director of Communications. She will be responsible for managing producer communication initiatives to increase awareness and understanding of pork-related programs throughout Ohio.

Overholt is completing a bachelor’s degree in agricultural communications at The Ohio State University with emphasis in meat science. She was actively involved in 4-H and on her family’s farming operation outside Glenmont, Ohio. Currently, she serves as treasurer of the OSU Agricultural Communicators of Tomorrow Chapter.