Ohio Farm Bureau honors 2025 Distinguished Service Award winners

By Ryan Matthews
Director of Communications and Media Relations
Ohio Farm Bureau 

COLUMBUS – Farm Bureau Federation honored three individuals and groups for their incredible contributions to agriculture and Ohio Farm Bureau. The 2025 Distinguished Service Award recipients are Craig Adams of Highland County, Mike Townsley of Franklin County and the families who have hosted the Blanchard River Demonstration Farms: Kellogg Farms of Hardin County, Kurt Farms of Hardin County and Stateler Family Farms of Hancock County. The honorees were recognized Dec. 11 at the 107th annual meeting of Ohio Farm Bureau  in Columbus.

• Craig Adams of Highland County

Adams is a former Ohio Farm Bureau state trustee, Nationwide board member and former chairman of United Producers. His service on the OFBF board included several key roles, such as serving on the Executive Committee, chairing the Public Policy Committee and the Agriculture for Good Government Political Action Committee, and representing OFBF at a White House forum focused on the developing Cuban trade market. He also served on the Ohio Livestock Coalition, a statewide trade organization made up of agriculture organizations and individual farmers committed to advancing environmentally friendly, socially responsible and economically viable livestock farming practices.

As chairman, Adams led United Producers to become one of the largest livestock marketing cooperatives in the country and continues to be a part of many statewide commodity organizations and local boards. He, and his wife Kim, run Adams Farms, which specializes in food-grade corn and other row crops as well as livestock.

• Mike Townsley of Franklin County

Townsley is the former CEO and chairman of Bob Evans Farms. In his role, Townsley helped grow the company into the nation’s leading producer of refrigerated products and maintained a strong focus on community engagement and partnerships with agricultural producers. Townsley is widely respected for his leadership in the food and meat processing industries and his dedication to strengthening the ties between agriculture and consumers. He is a previous board member of the Ohio Farm Bureau Foundation and as president, spearheaded the early efforts to strengthen the alignment between the foundation and the Ohio Farm Bureau Federation.

Additionally, Townsley is a former board member of the Ohio Farm Bureau Animals for Life Foundation, the Ohio Grocers Association, the National Pork Producers Council, and the Colorado Beef Board. He currently serves on the Ohio Expositions Commission, the governing body of the Ohio Expo Center.

• Blanchard River Demonstration Farms

Blanchard River Demonstration Farms was a 10-year joint project between Ohio Farm Bureau and USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service. Through the program, three farm families implemented new and innovative conservation practices on their farms. These trials generated strong interest, and the farms hosted numerous tours for students, researchers, media and policymakers interested in Ohio’s forward-thinking efforts in water quality.

Bill and Shane Kellogg own and operate Kellogg Farm in Forest, Ohio, in Hardin County. The farm consists of 5,000 acres of corn and soybeans. The Kelloggs committed their entire farm acreage to the Blanchard River Demonstration Farms Network.

Kurt Farms is a 470-acre corn and soybean operation in Dunkirk, Ohio, in Hardin County. Chris Kurt, owner and operator of the farm, committed his entire acreage to the Blanchard River Demonstration Farms Network.

Stateler Farm in McComb, Ohio, is owned and operated by Duane and Anthony Stateler.

They raise corn, soybeans and wheat on about 1,000 acres in Hancock County and also operate a 7,200-head wean-to-finish swine operation. The Statelers also committed their entire farm acreage to the Blanchard River Demonstration Farms Network.

Candidates for Distinguished Service Awards are nominated by Ohio Farm Bureau volunteers, county organizations and state leaders.

Ohio Farm Bureau’s mission is working together for Ohio farmers to advance agriculture and strengthen our communities. Learn more at ohiofarmbureau.org.