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Ohio Ag Council announces 50th Hall of Fame inductees
 
By DOUG GRAVES
Ohio Correspondent

COLUMBUS, Ohio — Four Ohioans who have committed their lives to working in, promoting and advocating for Ohio’s farm community were honored earlier this month by the Ohio Agricultural Council (OAC), being inducted into the Ohio Agricultural Hall of Fame.
Honored at the Celeste Center at the Ohio Expo Center in Columbus were William J. Haddad of Danville, the late Don Loudenslager of Morral, Roy Loudenslager of Marion and Gerald (Gary) Mast of Millersburg. The four were lauded for their lifetime of service and dedication to the state’s agriculture community.
“As we celebrate our 50th anniversary, we honor these four people who have made significant contributions to Ohio’s No. 1 industry, agriculture,” said Jenny Hubble, OAC president. “Each inductee stands out individually for his exceptional contributions to Ohio agriculture, but together they represent the passion, creativity and hard work evidenced by their collective decades of unmatched experience.”
Haddad, known to many as “No-Till Bill,” has worked tirelessly to help farmers understand and implement no-tillage farming practices ever since he first heard the term in 1969 at a Chevron Agricultural Chemical Co. meeting. His passion for no-till continues as a way to save and improve the soil by reducing erosion, improving water quality, saving time, labor and equipment investment and conservation of fuel.
Throughout the years, he has contributed to several articles on no-till crop production, discussing the benefits of the systems. Additionally, he has conducted hundreds of on-farm demonstrations and grower meetings on the practice, including being an active exhibitor in the Ohio Farm Science Review for more than three decades.
Further, Haddad invested his own money in the state’s first Spray-Coupe to demonstrate effective weed control systems for no-till crops. He was also inducted into the Farm Science Review Hall of Fame.
Don Loudenslager dedicated his life to Ohio agriculture. Farming was his passion, and he and his brother, Roy, and father operated a successful crop and livestock farm known for innovation and conservation stewardship.
Through the years, Don gave his time, service and leadership as a member and officer of several agricultural organizations, including the Ohio Pork Council, Ohio Corn and Wheat Growers Assoc., Ohio Soybean Assoc., National Corn Growers Assoc., American Soybean Assoc., Ohio Farm Bureau Federation and the American Farm Bureau Federation.
 For more than 45 years, he served as a district supervisor for the Marion County Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD) and several years on the state Soil and Water Conservation Board. Additionally, he was a strong supporter of youth leadership programs through 4-H and FFA.
Roy made significant contributions to the agricultural industry as a lifelong farmer, inventor, innovator and engineer. As Ohio’s first FFA Star Farmer, he started his path to success in ag and service to community as a teen. He has also, with his family and Don, been a model environmental steward since he began farming in high school.
Roy played a critical role in establishing the Ohio Soybean Council as one of the nation’s top producer-funded state promotion and research boards and is a past chair of its board. He has served on various other boards, including that of the National City Bank, Marion General Hospital, United Soybean Board and positions of leadership on The Ohio State University Agricultural Technical Institute Advisory Committee and Lions Club International.
In addition, Roy proudly served in the U.S. Army from 1959-61, earning the rank of sergeant.
A sixth-generation farmer, Mast and his brother farm more than 1,200 acres in Holmes County and provide custom manure management and forage harvesting to other farmers. As a seasoned veteran of agriculture and conservation issues, his passion is demonstrated through his unwavering efforts and leadership to the industry and his community.
He has served on the leadership team for the Ohio Federation of SWCDs, as well as a board member with the Holmes County SWCD and county Farm Bureau. On a national level, Mast served as deputy under secretary for natural resources and environment, one of the top positions with the USDA.
He regularly hosts tours and events on his farm to demonstrate how sound ag practices build strong communities. He has also given speeches to local civic organizations, county leadership classes, soil and water conservation groups and 4-H and FFA chapters on the value of soil stewardship and animal care practices, as well as the value of community working together.
Mast is widely known for his love of the land and commitment to the betterment of agriculture. Among his many achievements include Ohio Supervisor Hall of Fame inductee by the Ohio Federation of SWCDs, EPA District 5 Distinguished Service Award and International Honor Award for Conservation Activities by the Soil and Water Conservation Society.
8/27/2015