The purpose of the Defiance County Agriculture Hall of Fame is to recognize outstanding contributions by an individual to agriculture.
Defiance County Agriculture Hall of Fame Guidelines & Application 2025
Congratulations to our 2024 Agricultural Hall of Fame Inductees;
L-R Kevin Hancock (SWCD), Don Van Vlerah, Sarah Tackett (Defiance Area Chamber of Commerce)
Donald Van Vlerah
Farmer and Veterinarian: Defiance, Ohio
Born: 7-13-1942
Spouse: Donna Van Vlerah
Growing up in Defiance Don attended and graduated from Defiance High School. Growing up on a farm and involved in 4H, he pursued and completed his Doctorate in Veterinary Medicine at the Ohio State University. Don has been a lifelong farmer and in 1971 he returned to Defiance and has been a key supporter of local agriculture ever since. Don was a large and small animal veterinarian for many of Defiance County farmers and as a vet, he was on call day and night to be available when the need arose. Don was a cornerstone of the Defiance County Fair for over 20 years, serving as the 4-H veterinarian, veterinarian for Defiance County harness racing, and a member of the Defiance County Fairboard. Prior to the fair every year he would visit every 4-H home raising swine to administer the necessary care and was responsible for and reviewed the health of every 4-H animal. Don was very active in educating the next generation of agriculture, frequently, speaking with local clubs about livestock care and by hosting many high school and college students for job shadowing days, throughout his career.
Don has been a leader in the community as an active member and past president of the local Rotary chapter and as past president of the Defiance Regional Hospital board. Don is an active member of the St. John Lutheran Church of Defiance, serving as an usher, radio announcer, and member of the endowment committee. Don was active on the state and national level as a member of the National Threshers Association, a member of the Ohio Veterinary Medical Association for over 40 years, and ran an American Animal Hospital Association-certified practice for over 20 years, the only practice with this certification during that time. Don is regarded as a loyal and caring family-man who always strived to best serve the local community. His love for livestock and agriculture is self-evident and has instilled that same love in his children.
L-R Kevin Hancock (SWCD), Joyce Plummer, Sarah Tackett (Defiance Area Chamber of Commerce)
Larry L. Plummer (posthumously)
Farmer and Agricultural-related Business: Defiance, Ohio
Born: 3-7-1942: Deceased 12-18-2021
Spouse: Joyce A. Plummer
Larry was born an grew up in Defiance. After graduating from Defiance High School he pursued an engineering degree. He utilized that degree for over 40 years working for G.M. as a plant engineer and pattern shop supervisor. While working at G.M., Larry was farming as well as being an auctioneer and realtor. As an auctioneer, he was active in the ag community through the thousands of acres of farmland he sold and through his participation in the Defiance County Junior Fair livestock auction for over 25 years. Larry was instrumental in bringing companies to Defiance County that have and will positively impact agriculture and the broader community. Larry was involved in bringing the CGB grain elevator, now known as Apex Grain Marketing, to Defiance County in 2013. Larry also helped lay the groundwork for the TKI fertilizer plant being built in the Enterprise Industrial Park. Both of those agricultural businesses developing in Defiance County will help support the agricultural and local economies for the foreseeable future.
Beyond agriculture, Larry led a service-driven life. Larry was a councilman for several years for the village of Florida, was a very active member of St. Peter Lutheran Church, and through G.M. was active with the Junior Achievement Organization, supporting youthacademic and career development. Larry was a longtime member of many state and national organizations like the Ohio Auction Association and the National Association of Realtors, as well as a lifetime member of the NRA. Larry commonly worked with local law enforcement and community economic development personnel, to improve the outlook of the local community. Larry is remembered as a good mentor, that was very knowledgeable in a variety of subjects and was always willing to share that knowledge. He was an honest man who loved his God, family, community, and country.
L-R Kevin Hancock (SWCD), Pete Karzynow, Sarah Tackett (Defiance Area Chamber of Commerce)
Pete Karzynow
Agricultural Consultant: Defiance, Ohio
Born: 1-9-1951
Spouse: Bonnie Karzynow
Pete was born in Germany to a German mother and a Russian Father. When he was young his family immigrated from Germany to the United States, ultimately finding their way to Defiance County. He attended Defiance High School and after graduation, he went to serve in the Army. He was stationed overseas for 4 years during the Vietnam War. After serving in the Army, he was working for various companies, when a local farmer recommended and connected him with the Jewell Grain Company. When Pete started at Jewell Grain he had no background in agriculture and started out driving feed trucks and as a general laborer. Over his 45-year tenure at Jewell Grain, Pete was a custom applicator and built his knowledge base as a self-taught and dedicated crop consultant. Pete was always adamant to do whatever could be done to help the company and farmers be successful. He spent a lot of his personal time crop scouting. If a farmer had a concern, he would be out there any time of day and whatever the weather, to identify any problems and what solution may be available to ease the farmer and result in a productive harvest. Throughout Pete’s career agriculture has changed drastically. He was a resource to help farmers navigate developing tools and concepts like chemical management and soil health, as well as how to address the economics of an operation and the considerations of price fluctuations.
Outside of Pete’s career, he has been committed to service. He served as a board member of the Defiance Agricultural Research Association and helped guide local agricultural research. Pete is a long-standing member of the Jewell Legion as well as having served as a volunteer firefighter for the Jewell fire department. Pete is an avid fan and supporter of the Tinora Rams and Fairview Apaches. Those around Pete highlight his friendly and caring nature and the fact that he is always one to extend out a hand and help when he can.
Congratulations to our 2023 Agricultural Hall of Fame Inductees;
Samuel A. Bok
Dairy Farmer: Defiance, Ohio
Born: 2-19-1961
Spouse: Julie Bok
Mr. Samuel Bok is a fourth-generation dairy farmer. His involvement in 4-H led to his interest in Jersey cows. At the early age of 9, Sam received his first Jersey cow from Orville and Judy Smith. He showed Jersey cows at multiple county fairs. Sam is a graduate of Defiance High School. In 1979, Sam grew his farm to 18 head of cattle and farmed 140 acres of rented land. In 1984 Sam married Julie (Wiemken) and was blessed with two children Wendy and Andy (Darla). The Bok’s dairy farm grew in 1999 to 380 registered Jersey milking cows, 500 replacement heifers, and farmed 700 owned acres and rented 300 acres. The Jersey milk has been shipped and sold locally at Arps Dairy in Defiance for over 37 years. Sam has welcomed two granddaughters, Renee and Sara into the business as well. They are quickly learning their place in the business from watching grandpa’s hard work and dedication he puts into the farm.
Sam’s passion for his cattle and hard work has led to the Bok’s Jersey Farm to rank among the top 25% in the nation for Jersey Performance Index. Bok has sold dairy cattle to Jersey breeders across the country and internationally to Canada, Costa Rica, and Mexico. The family has also sold Jerseys at sales such as Buckeye Classic, Indiana Premier Plus Sale, Illinois Invitational Sale, Pot O’Gold Sale, and National Heifer Sale.
Sam is very proud of his farm and loves to show others his labor of love. Since the early 1990’s, the farm has welcomed school age children, boy scouts, girl scouts, and 4-H members to help feed the baby Jerseys. The Ohio State University has also sent students from their dairy judging teams to the farm to practice judging, and to see proper setup for equipment, barns and some of the latest innovations. One of these innovations being heated floors in the calf barn to help promote the health of the newborns.
Sam’s leadership in the dairy industry did not stop on the farm. He has been a delegate for the COBA/Select Sires, served as an advisor on the United Producers board, Ohio Jersey Breeder’s Member and American Jersey Cattle Association Director. In 1989 he was awarded the American Jersey Cattle Association Young Jersey Breeder Award.
Community service is also a part of Sam’s life. He is a member of the Christ Our Savior Lutheran Church where he served as president and volunteered with adult Bible study. He previously served on the Defiance Landmark Board for 9 years and has served as president. He was on the Farm Service Agency board, Senior Fair Board and was a 4-H advisor. To Sam, no-one is ever a stranger, he is willing to help anyone and is always there to listen to anything you have to say.
L-R Kevin Hancock (SWCD), Casey Davis, Kathy Davis, Clay Davis, Laurie McCann (Defiance Area Chamber of Commerce)
Lynn N. Davis (posthumously)
Farmer and Business Owner: Defiance, Ohio
Born: 5-14-1944: Deceased 12-01-2018
Spouse: Kathy Davis
Lynn Davis was the owner and operator of the Harry L. Davis Sons Farm Drainage. Lynn was a 1962 graduate of Ayersville High School where he was active in sports. He was a member of the Ayersville FFA chapter in which he held many leadership positions. Lynn received his degree in agricultural engineering from the University of Tennessee in 1967. While at the University of Tennessee he met Kathy (Siniard), and they married in 1966. They have two children Clay and Casey. After receiving his degree, Lynn served in the army from 1967 – 1969 in the Vietnam War. He later worked for International Harvester and was plant engineer for Johns Manville. Lynn took over the drainage business in 1988 when his uncle John Davis retired. He worked with his father Carl Davis until his passing. There are four generations of Davis’ in the drainage business.
Mr. Davis did more than just installing drainage tile. He met and consulted with farmers and landowners on their drainage systems. He was one of the first to adopt No-Till farming practices and the use of Global Positioning System (GPS). He installed millions of feet of tile, hundreds of drainages structures, and was a great resource for drainage projects. Lynn worked with Dr. Larry Brown of The Ohio State University on drainage techniques and Defiance County Extension on the Defiance Agricultural Research Area (DARA) site installing different tile spacing. He also served as president of Ohio Land Improvement Contractors Association.
Lynn was the definition of community service. He served 16 years on the Ayersville School Board as a member, president, and other various leadership roles. Lynn was instrumental in drainage around the school and ball fields. He served on the Ayersville United Methodist Administrative board, Defiance Area Foundation and was president of the Kiwanis club. Lynn was a great supporter of the Ayersville FFA and the vocational agriculture program. He gave his time and knowledge to many students who later worked for him with some going on to start their own land drainage companies.
“He (Lynn) was undoubtedly one of the kindest souls that ever walked the earth. His kindness and compassion for people could only be surpassed by his intelligence and his ethics. His moral standards were of the highest caliber that I ever encountered. He was one of those rare individuals that set a standard of character that we need to emulate.” -John Hoshock.
2022 Agricultural Hall of Fame Inductees;
Virgil H. Hoene
Business owner/Farmer: Sherwood, Ohio
Born: 01-10-1943
Spouse: Janice Hoene
Joe R. Nester
Business owner: Bryan, Ohio
Born: 10-31-1956
Spouse: Beckie Nester
Roger J. Jr. & Lois S. Zeedyk
Farmers: Hicksville, Ohio
Roger Born: 6-15-1948
Lois Born: 7-10-1950
John & Patsy Koerner
Dairy and Grain Farmers: Edgerton, Ohio
John: Born 10-05-1934; Deceased 11-08-2014
Patsy: Born 01-03-1935; Deceased 07-13-2015
2020 Agricultural Hall of Fame Inductees;
Tom L. Flory
Jewell Grain: Defiance County, Ohio
Born: 07-13-1945
Spouse: Carolyn Flory
Gary L. Mavis
Farmer: Defiance County, Ohio
Born: 02-23-1950
Spouse: Pat Mavis
2019 Agricultural Hall of Fame Inductees;
James F. Joost
Farmer & Ag Business: Defiance County, Ohio
Born: 07-29-1954 Deceased: 12-11-2005
Spouse: Brenda (Joost) Penner
Milo A. Crockett
Farmer: Defiance, Ohio
Born: 11-25-1932
Spouse: Donna Crockett
Ted T. Pohlmann
Farmer: Defiance County, Ohio
Born: 04-12-1947
Spouse: Carol Pohlmann
2018 Agricultural Hall of Fame Inductees;
G. Ray Clevenger
Ag Career: Defiance, Ohio
Born: 06-17-1940
Spouse: A. Ann Clevenger
2017 Agricultural Hall of Fame Inductees;
Carl F. Vollmer
Farmer, Ohio
Born: 09-30-1940
Spouse: Janet Vollmer
Joyce A. Cavanaugh
Ag Career: Defiance, Ohio
Born: 07-14-1955
Spouse: Steven Cavanaugh
2016 Agricultural Hall of Fame Inductees;
Marion L. Retcher
Farm: Defiance, Ohio
Born: 12-04-1932
Spouse: Alice Retcher (passed 2005)
Wayne J. Sprow
Farm and Dairy: Ney, Ohio
Born: 08-14-1923
Spouse: Eileen Sprow
Louis "Louie" R. Shininger
Farm: Ney, Ohio
Born: 08-06-1947
Spouse: Charette Shininger
2015 Agricultural Hall of Fame Inductees;
Carl D. Higbea
Farmed: Defiance, Ohio
Born: 07-29-1934
Spouse: Bernadine C. (Panning) Higbea
Ada D. Arps
Farmed and Business Owner: Defiance, Ohio
Born: 07-17-1915 Deceased: 05-18-2016
Spouse: Dorence H. Arps
Daniel "Dan" H. Singer
Farmed: Sherwood, Ohio
Born: 03-26-1938
Spouse: Bennette K. (Kunesh) Singer
2014 Agricultural Hall of Fame Inductees;
Waldo E. Imbrock
Farmed: Defiance, Ohio
Born: 10-29-1922
Spouse: Clara (Bostelman) Imbrock
Richard L. Cline
Worked: Defiance County, Ohio
Born: 10-30-1927 Deceased: 06-28-2011
Spouse: Catherine A. Cline
Donald Rethmel
Farmed: Defiance, Ohio
Born: 08-25-1940
Spouse: Anita Rethmel
2013 Agricultural Hall of Fame Inductees;
William (Bill) A. Cleland, Sr.
Hicksville, Ohio
Born: 10-20-1930
Spouse: Doris Cleland
Lyle R. Sigg
Ney, Ohio
Born: 04-03-1924 Deceased: 03-06-2003
Spouse: Madonna Sigg
Dorence O. Schliesser
Defiance, Ohio
Born: 09-17-1920
Spouse: Rita Schliesser
2012 Agricultural Hall of Fame Inductees;
Cletus F. Vetter
Hicksville, Ohio
Born: 03-09-1921
Spouse: Alice Vetter
Lee W. Kaemming
Defiance, Ohio
Born: 11-08-1932
Spouse: Bonnie Kaemming
A. Henry (Hank) Arnos
Defiance, Ohio
Born: 04-13-1919 Deceased: 09-24-2001
Spouse: Mildred Arnos