Four named to Fulton Co. Ag. Hall of Fame

These are the candidates whom have been chosen for induction into the Fulton County Agricultural Hall of Fame.

Maury Callender - We are very honored to be able to introduce Maury Callender for induction into the Fulton County Agricultural Hall of Fame. He has given of his time and talents to many efforts here in Fulton County.

Callender worked in agriculture at The Andersons, in the feed and commodities areas of the company. He has also farmed since 1970, raising cattle, hogs and sheep. Since his retirement, he has developed a hay, straw and sawdust business. Along the way, he and his wife, Marlene, have raised three children who have all obtained the American Farm degree in FFA.

Callender has volunteered his time to numerous organizations and committees, including the Aetna Grange where he served as Master and Executive Committee Member, the Fulton County Pork Producers serving as President, the Wauseon FFA and the Fulton County Agricultural Hall of Fame committee.

Many of the activities in which he is recognized happen behind the scenes. Callender has volunteered countless hours at the Fulton County Fairgrounds, helping with many projects that go on each year to add something new to the fair for the next year. He has also assisted many students from the Wauseon FFA in finding jobs and has donated machinery use and labor to the chapter.

While he was not born in Ohio, Callender has been actively involved in agriculture all his life. He was a FFA member in Michigan and attended Michigan State University. Since settling down in Fulton County, he has actively contributed to Fulton County's agricultural success, making our community a better place.

Robert Carroll - He has been a very active member of our community, promoting soil conservation practices that protect the quality of our environment. Carroll has been actively involved at the local, state and national levels with the Fulton County Soil and Water Conservation and the Ohio Federation of Soil and Water conservation Districts.

As a supervisor of the Fulton County Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD) for 24 years, Carroll has served as President, Vice-president, Secretary and treasurer. During this time, he was also on the board of the Ohio Federation of Conservation Districts, serving as President from 1997 to 19999. Nationally, he also served as Director of the North Central Region for the National Association of Conservation Districts. For all his efforts, at all levels of government, he was recognized with induction into the Ohio Federation of SWCD Supervisor's Hall of Fame in 2005.

Carroll has also been active in many other organizations, including the Wauseon Homecoming Committee, Farm Bureau, Wauseon Chamber of Commerce, First Christian Church and as a founding member of the Wauseon Jaycees.

Along the way, Carroll has found time for the family farm partnership, Carroll Farms, which has always been innovative in the production of grain crops and vegetables guided by the many conservation practices he has promoted.

The community is pleased to recognize Robert Carroll with induction into the Fulton County Agricultural Hall of Fame and are so grateful for all the contributions you have made to agriculture and the environment.

Roger Crossgrove - He has been an active member of the dairy community in Fulton County for over 39 years. In that time, Crossgrove has tirelessly given back to the community to increase the awareness of the dairy industry and to agriculture in general.

Crossgrove has provided leadership to various organizations throughout the years, serving in many leadership roles of President, Secretary and treasurer for the Fulton County Dairy Association, Sterlena Pride Dairy Cooperative, the Ohio District 10 Holstein Club, the Ohio Holstein Club, the Fulton County Farmers Union and the Ohio Farmers Union. He also served a three year term on the National Dairy Board, representing a five state area.

Currently, he is serving as the Executive Director of the Ohio Farmers Union, working to be a voice for Ohio agriculture.

In addition to these local, state and national roles, Crossgrove has also provided leadership to many local groups beyond the dairy industry, including Zion Mennonite Church and the Mennonite Central Committee. He has opened his farm for the community for use for farm awareness activities and fundraising.

He is a humble, hard working man that truly enjoys serving agriculture and his community. Crossgrove is dedicated to making the organization he works with to have a positive impact and to continue to move forward.

For all his contributions to agriculture and his community, it is an honor to recognize Crossgrove with induction into the Fulton County Agricultural Hall of Fame.

Paul W. Robinson - This candidate is being inducted into the Fulton County Agricultural Hall of Fame for all the contributions Robinson made during his life in his chosen vocation of auctioneering and his involvement in many local organizations. He was involved in agriculture at many different levels and as an auctioneer for the Delta Livestock, Fulton County Swine Breeders Association and the Fulton County Junior Livestock Sale.

He was an active member of the community, serving two terms as Mayor of delta. Robinson also served in leadership roles with several local organizations, including the Ohio Realtors Association, delta United Methodist Church, Masonic Lodge, the Delta Eagles, Wauseon Elks and Fulton Grange.

Robinson helped start several projects in Delta, including "Party on the Park" and was also involved in the development and building Memorial Hall.

In 1993, he was recognized as Delta's Citizen of the Year for his many contributions to the community.

Two traits would stand out with Robinson: Generosity and a sense of humor. As Delta's mayor, he would bring people who were down on their luck to his home for a meal. As an auctioneer, he would use his sense of humor to keep people involved in the auction.

For his community involvement and leadership in organizations, Robinson is welcomed posthumously into the Fulton County Agricultural Hall of Fame. Paul Robinson's daughter, Judy Pike accepted his plaque.