COLUMBUS, Ohio — Greg McGlinch of Versailles has been named the winner of the Ohio Farm Bureau Federation’s (OFBF) Excellence in Agriculture award, which recognizes successful young people 35 or younger who are involved in farming but whose primary occupation is not farming or owning an agricultural business.

The award is based on their involvement in agriculture and participation in Farm Bureau and other community organizations. McGlinch farms with his wife, Janet, and his parents, Gary and Sharon. They farm about 450 acres in Darke County, raising corn, soybeans, wheat, and cereal rye.

He also produces hogs, chickens and eggs for local customers. “We use a lot of conservation-oriented practices on the farm such as crop rotation, no-till, cover crops and integrative pest management systems,” McGlinch said.

He is also a nutrient management and urban specialist with the Darke County Soil and Water Conservation District.

“I work with livestock producers and I help them learn about cover crops and conservation practices on their landscape,” he explained. “I also work with the urban sector, too, on best management practices.”

McGlinch is pursuing a master’s degree in agronomy. He wants to broaden his spectrum of education and possibly get into consulting work. He’s been active in numerous local civic, professional and service organizations.

He won a John Deere Gator, sponsored by Farm Credit Services, a $1,000 technology package sponsored by OFBF and an all-expenses-paid trip to the American Farm Bureau Federation annual meeting in Nashville, Tenn., where he will represent Ohio in the competition.

Other finalists in the Excellence in Agriculture contest were Emily Rhoades of New Bloomington and Chip and Shannon Yochum of Hillsboro.