MARYSVILLE, Ohio – The Ohio Cattlemen’s Association (OCA) had its Annual Meeting and Awards Banquet on Feb. 1, 2025, at the Hilton Polaris Hotel, Columbus. Cattlemen and women from across the state gathered to engage in important association business, hear updates from many industry partners, and recognize the recipients of several prestigious industry awards. The event was made possible by the following sponsoring partners: Ag Credit, Heartland Feed Services, Foster Farms, Austin & Lindsey Cole & family, and Nexus Marketing. The day started with the launch of the new Ohio Beef Youth Council (OBYC). The council is a youth education initiative created to serve the families and youth of Ohio’s beef industry and invest in the next generation of industry leaders. This initiative, funded by the beef checkoff and OCA, will provide youth with the tools to become more effective industry leaders and inspire them to continue their engagement in Ohio’s beef industry as adults. The eight youth leaders for the council unveiled the OBYC structure and its first programs, and recognized council sponsors Bonnie Coley Malir and Rick Malir, founders of City Barbeque. The Ohio Beef Council sponsored lunch to introduce their 2024 video annual report that highlighted beef checkoff investments to build beef demand. The luncheon included five stations that featured various aspects of the checkoff and its programs. Colin Woodall, CEO of the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA), joined members to present an industry update on policy issues and highlights from the NCBA Federation’s role as a contractor to the beef checkoff. Several elected officials attended the meeting as well, including U.S. Sen. Bernie Moreno, Ohio Reps. Rodney Creech and Bob Peterson, and Ohio Sens. Kyle Koehler and Tim Schaffer. OCA President Mark Goecke, of Allen County, led the OCA Annual Meeting. The first order of business was awarding the association’s Top Hand members. The OCA Top Hands are awarded for recruiting five or more OCA members throughout the year. This year’s awards were sponsored by Purina Animal Nutrition and Quality Liquid Feeds. The following were the Top Hands for 2024: Joe Grubbs, Carroll County, was the top recruiter. Additional Top Hand winners were Austin Cole, Preble County; Glen Feichtner, Crawford County; John Ferguson, Geauga County; Mark Goecke, Allen County; Lindsey Hall, Highland County; Jessica Helsinger, Preble County; Andy Lohr, Crawford County; Frank Phelps, Logan County; Dave Puthoff, Auglaize County; Bill Sexten, Fayette County; Erin Stickel, Wood County; Linde Sutherly, Clark County; and Fred Voge, Preble County. Following the Top Hand awards, members heard updates from several industry partners. OCA members then voted on the association policy for 2025. At its awards banquet, the Ohio Cattlemen’s Foundation (OCF) awarded over 25 scholarships to beef industry youth who aspire of pursuing careers in the agriculture and beef industry. These scholarships were made possible through the Cattlemen’s Gala, sales proceeds from the Ohio beef license plates, funds raised from the putt-putt course at the Ohio State Fair, and donors such as Saltwell Western Store, the Noah Cox Memorial Fund, and the Ohio Cattlewomen’s Association. The following are the 2024 scholarship recipients: Cattlemen’s Gala Scholarships Megan Becker, Washington County Harrison Blay, Portage County Marissa Graham, Licking County Isabel Hiles, Pickaway County Kaylee Jennings, Clermont County Maria McIntosh, Champaign County Delaney Moore, Fairfield County Cheyenne Myers, Stark County Rachel O’Reilly, Geauga County Celeste Rummell, Tuscarawas County Katelynn Wallace, Miami County Emma Yochum, Highland County Tagged for Greatness Scholarships Josh Dickson, Licking County Carter Lampe, Wood County McKenzie Pitcock, Muskingum County Samantha VanVorhis, Wood County Cattlemen’s Country Club Scholarships Delaney Chester, Warren County Charity Moore, Montgomery County Erica Patterson, Hancock County Anna Scheurman, Coshocton County Noah Cox Memorial Scholarships Megan Garrison, Belmont County Cattlewomen’s Association Scholarships Delaney Moore, Fairfield County Bill Tom Memorial Scholarship Sydney Kleman, Putnam County
Bill Tom Success Grant Ryan Bowsher, Allen County During the banquet, attendees celebrated the achievements of their fellow cattlemen. The seven awards presented were: Outstanding County – Wood County Beef Producers Sponsored by Ohio Corn and Wheat Young Cattleman of the Year – Garrett Stanfield, Manchester, Ohio Sponsored by TransOva Genetics Environmental Stewardship Award - Twin Oak Farms, LLC, Workman Family - Perrysville, Ohio Sponsored by Ohio Shorthorn Breeders Association Commercial Cattleman of the Year – Red Hill Farm, Freeport, Ohio Sponsored by Select Sires Member Cooperative Seedstock Producer of the Year – Ferguson Cattle Company, Chardon, Ohio Sponsored by Ohio Simmental Association Industry Service Award – Ohio Rep. Bob Peterson, Sabina, Ohio Sponsored by Fayette County Cattle Feeders & Fayette County Farm Bureau Industry Excellence Award – Dr. Aaron Arnett, Galion, Ohio Sponsored by The Ohio State University College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences. The night ended with a social event and a live auction to raise money for OCA’s Political Action Committee (PAC) to be used to support elected officials who support the beef cattle industry and to ensure representation at the Ohio Statehouse and on Capitol Hill. To learn more about OCA’s award winners or the Annual Meeting, visit www.ohiocattle.org. |
