22nd Annual All Ag Meeting and Banquet Highlights
On August 27th at Heritage Hall at Lost Creek Reserve in Troy, 100 people attended the 22nd Annual All Ag Meeting and Banquet, combining business for Miami SWCD, Miami County Farm Bureau, OSU Extension Miami County and the Miami County Ag Society. Those attending enjoyed speaker Donald Jones, Executive Director USDA-Farm Service Agency, a great meal catered by Graze on and Stevens Pies for dessert!
The program portion of the evening included presenting awards for Miami SWCD Cooperators of the Year, Dickerson Family LLC. Robbie and Tommy Dickerson accepted the sign, plaque and sweatshirts. Dad Joe is also included in the award, but could not attend the evening. Presenter Diane Yingst relayed that the Dickerson Family hope to return their land on Snyder Road back to what it once was, getting rid of the invasive species and returning the land to its natural state with Honeysuckle removal, planning pollinator habitat patches and even restoring a wetland on the land their family has owned for decades.
Educators of the Year, Chris and Laura Weddle were recognized for their efforts with the Miami East pollinator garden, butterfly house and work on the established neighboring prairie. In addition, Chris is approaching 30 years of teaching K-5 music and Laura is nearly a decade in teaching 4th grade. The area has been included in classwork by them and other teachers at the school, inviting kids to embrace what this area offers and encourage them to help keep it as beautiful as it is.
Miami SWCD Elections resulted in the re-election of Bill Hershberger and Jeff Shoup to additional three year terms.
The remainder of the evening was spent by our event partners, Miami County Farm Bureau, OSU-Extension Miami County and Miami County Ag Society relaying news and information to the audience. Cynda Renner once again provided the beautiful flowers for the tables and Savannah and Braiden Pellman with Miami East FFA helped with dinner. We appreciate all who attended and very much look forward to the next All Ag Annual Meeting and Banquet!