We lost some great ones in century’s first decade: Don Rupert

Don Rupert

Donald C. Rupert, whose innovative farm management and dairy breeding thinking inspired many, died April 21, 2009, He was 95.

Rupert earned a bachelor’s degree in agriculture from Ohio State University in 1937. Returning to the Columbiana County family farm, he instituted new methods of seed production and also brought innovations related to its Jersey dairy herd. The family farm installed the first milking parlor in Ohio, and was also the first to use a carousel milking parlor. He also influenced a group of Jersey breeders, who admired his emphasis on dams, and not just sires.

His leadership helped build numerous community and agricultural organizations, both locally and on the state level.