Raubenolt named cooperator of year

ASHLAND, Ohio – The Ashland County Soil and Water Conservation District celebrated its 60th anniversary during its annual meeting held Aug. 15 at the Ashland County West Holmes Career Center.
William Raubenolt was named as the 2004 Cooperator of the Year. Raubenolt farms 112 acres in Lake Township.
He put many conservation practices into place for the family dairy. In 1990 he converted to intensive grazing and by 2000 became a Certified Organic Dairy.
In other news. Elected to serve on the board of supervisors were Judith Shafer and Donald Kettering.
Forestry camp attendees, Kelly Adler and Mike Aten, were introduced.
Charles “Doc” Redmond, soil scientist, shared portions of his experiences surveying the land for the last 50 years. He was vital in the publication of four published soil survey books including Ashland, Erie, Richland and Knox counties.
“To map Ashland County soils, I went field by field, township by township. It was the cooperation of the people of Ashland County that made the work easier and more accurate,” Redmond said.
Redmond will retire on Oct. 1.
History. A panel of Dick Tugend, John McNaul and Eugene Welch shared historical sketches and events that shaped the soil and water over the past 60 years, noting crop rotation, contour planting and ground covers as the most notable changes.
Attendees took a walk down memory lane with posted photos of participating cooperators over the years. The photos will again be available to view during the Ashland County Fair, Sept. 19-25, at the Soil and Water Conservation District display booth.
John McNaul brought in farm machinery that has made a difference in soil preparation over the years.
The children made pinwheels and participated in other games and activities from the 1940s and 1960s.