By DOUG GRAVES
Ohio Correspondent

COLUMBUS, Ohio — It matters not whether one is a veterinarian, horticulturalist, lobbyist or soybean farmer: The Ohio Agricultural Council (OAC) is seeking nominations of all and more for the 2009 Ohio Agriculture Hall of Fame.

“All of the different aspects of agriculture are involved and considered in this great honor,” said Elizabeth Harsh, president of the OAC. “From the basics to the outer layers of agriculture, all types of people in agriculture are nominated and represented.”
Every year since 1966 the OAC has honored four individuals who have made outstanding contributions to the agricultural industry. Taking this honor have been grain farmers, egg businessmen, conservationists, public servants, journalists, soybean pioneers, lobbyists, inventors, horticulturalists and others.

In total, the OAC has honored more than 180 agriculturalists who have dedicated their lives of outstanding work to Ohio’s number-one industry.

Last year’s Hall of Fame recipients were R. Craig Fendrick, Farm Science Review manager from Holmes County; James Helt, The Ohio State University extension specialist from Mount Gilead; Donald Schriver, dairy industry consultant from Lorain County; and William Stalter, executive director of the Ohio Nursery and Landscape Assoc. and Lima, Ohio, native.

Nearly one-third of Ohio’s 88 counties have county agriculture Halls of Fame, but none older than the award given at the state level. “Being inducted into the Ohio Agriculture Hall of Fame is the most prestigious honor in this industry,” Harsh said.

The selection process at the state level in Ohio is such that members of the Hall of Fame committee appoint three individuals to a selections committee. In order to retain a high degree of integrity, the identities of the members of the selection committee are kept in confidence and precautions are taken to avoid the possibility of an individual serving on the selection committee more than once.

The ceremony honoring the new inductees is held annually at the Ohio Expo Center on the grounds at the Ohio State Fair in Columbus.

Anyone wanting to nominate an individual may secure a nomination form by writing to: The Ohio Agricultural Council, 5950 Sharon Woods Blvd., Columbus, OH 43229, or by calling 6513-794-8970. Nominations must be submitted by April 15 in order to be con