COLUMBUS — The Ohio Poultry Association announced its 2014 award recipients at the organization’s annual banquet on April 4 in Columbus. These awards honor businesses, farms and individuals who have made significant contributions to Ohio’s egg, chicken and turkey farming communities.
Awards and recipients
The Meritorious Award recognizes individuals in the academic field. This year’s award went to James Kinder, director of Ohio State University’s Agricultural Technical Institute in Wooster.
Kinder has provided nearly 20 years of leadership and service to the research programs in Wooster. During his research career, Kinder published more than 160 full-length, peer-reviewed research papers in the area of reproductive endocrinology of food animals.
He also has helped generate more than $2 million in research grant support and has been instrumental in the success of many graduate student degrees.
The Golden Egg Award went to Glyde Marsh. This award is given to an individual who has provided extraordinary service.
Marsh, of New Albany, is a retired professor of veterinary science at Ohio State University. He specialized in poultry medicine and continues to serve as a consultant to egg farmers throughout the state. At 95, Marsh remains very active in the local community and city council.
Golden feather
The Golden Feather Award went to Mo Saif. This award is given annually to an individual who has distinguished himself or herself as a champion of livestock agriculture or poultry issues.
Saif, of Wooster, is recognized internationally as a leading researcher in the field of poultry diseases. He began his 50-year relationship and career with Ohio State University in 1965 as a research assistant.
Through the years, he has held various positions within the university as a post-doctorate fellow, an assistant professor, and most recently, he has served as the head of the Ohio Agricultural Research and Development Center’s Food Animal Health Research Program, since 1993. Saif retired in 2013.
Environmental stewardship
The Environmental Stewardship Award went to Lefevre Farms.
The Environmental Stewardship Award is given each year in recognition of a farmer’s commitment to his or her neighbors and to the environment. Lefevre Farms, of Fort Recovery, has taken various actions to make their operation more environmentally friendly.
Some of these projects include developing a comprehensive nutrient management plan through the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Natural Resources Conservation Service, properly managing and applying manure to the land, routine manure and soil sampling, using minimum tillage to protect the soil, constructing retention and detention ponds to capture runoff water and irrigate water out in the summer months, as well as installing grass waterways and filter strips to reduce erosion and further protect the environment.
Eating turkey
The Turkey on the Menu Award went to City Barbeque.
This restaurant was one of four across the country to receive the award, which recognizes food service providers for their innovative techniques in showcasing a variety of Ohio turkey offerings on their menu.
City Barbeque offers a variety of turkey menu options, including Bowman & Landes premium, free-range, prepared fresh, never frozen turkey served hot off the smoker.
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