from Darke County Farmers Union

This year’s Darke County Farmers Union Scholarship Essay Contest was a tribute to an active life member of the Farmers Union who served the Darke County Farmers Union as vice president and then president for many years.  Roger W. Paff and his wife, Martha (Kuhn) Paff, participated in several trips to Farmers Union National Conventions as delegates and traveled to Washington, D.C. on several occasions to fight for the rights and interests of family farmers.  Roger, himself, was very much concerned with soil and water conservation and was listed as an outstanding “cooperator” with the Darke Soil and Water Conservation District: having installed pond, windbreaks, and wildlife refuges on his farm.  He was also very much concerned about wildlife and was an avid and responsible hunter.  Scholarships in his memory will pertain to agricultural issues such as soil and water conversation, wildlife protection and maintenance, and sustainable agriculture for family farms.

Darke County high school juniors and seniors or college freshman who have a membership in the Farmers Union (or have parents or grandparents who are members) are eligible to compete in the county chapter’s essay contests.  This year’s first place winner is Joe Schmitz, son of Don and Tina Schmitz; Joe was a senior from Mississinawa Valley High School.  Joe will be attending The Ohio State University at the Wooster campus and majoring in Agricultural Business and Applied Economics.  The second place winner this year is Catey Fischer, daughter of John and Amanda Fischer; Catey was a senior at Ansonia High School. Catey will be attending the University of Findlay and majoring in Animal Science in the College of Science.