WAUSEON – The 2025 inductees to the Fulton County Agriculture Hall of Fame were recently announced by the Ohio State University Extension Office and Hall of Fame selection committee. The purpose of the Hall of Fame is to recognize selected farmers or agribusiness leaders from our county who have committed over 25 years or more of service to the agriculture industry in our county, state, or region.
Since 1983, there have been 42 classes totaling 167 honorees that have been inducted into the Fulton County Agriculture Hall of Fame. Inductees were selected by the Hall of Fame Committee in July after all applications had been reviewed. This year’s inductees were announced at a ceremony on Monday, August 18th at St Caspar Catholic Church in Wauseon. The inductees will have a permanent plaque hung in their honor at the Fulton County Fairgrounds. Each honoree will receive an identical plaque for their home.
The 2025 Fulton Agricultural Hall of Fame inductees are Michael Anderzack, Jack Graf, Larry Neuenschwander, and Jonathan R. Rupp.
Michael Anderzack of Amboy Township is being inducted into the Hall of Fame for his extraordinary commitment to land restoration, youth development, and community service in Fulton County.
Mike’s journey in agriculture began at age 11, working summers with his uncle Bud Baker, where he learned the value of hard work through planting cantaloupe, baling hay, and hauling soybeans. After graduating from the Ohio State University Agricultural Technical Institute in Wooster with a degree in applied science and crop production, Mike entered the construction industry but never lost sight of his agricultural roots.
Recently, Mike fulfilled a lifelong dream by purchasing and restoring an abandoned junkyard, transforming it into productive farmland. He removed over 400 tons of tires, 120 tons of scrap iron, and countless dead trees and debris, returning the land to a healthy, vibrant state ready for cultivation.
He has played a vital role in renovating Holy Trinity Church, donating site work and plumbing infrastructure, and supporting other churches with playgrounds and repairs. His generosity extends to the Metamora community, where he has helped restore baseball fields, build a library parking lot, and support the Heritage House project. He is a major donor to local fundraisers and reverse raffles.
Mike and his wife Zoe are active members of Holy Trinity Church. He has served on the church’s athletic board, coached youth football, and held numerous civic roles including service on the Metamora Fire Department, Village Council, water board, zoning board, and currently the Evergreen Community Library Board.
A proud father to Robert and Kayla, Mike is deeply committed to youth development. After attending his first Fulton County Junior Fair Sale, he became a passionate supporter of 4-H and youth livestock projects, recognizing the life skills and values they instill. His continued support has made a lasting impact on countless young showmen.
Mike is known for his quick wit, humility, tireless work ethic, and unwavering faith. He lives by the belief that helping others, especially young people, is a calling. His selfless contributions to agriculture and the community make him a true role model.
Jack Graf was a lifelong resident of Fulton County whose passion for agriculture, service, and community left a lasting legacy. Born in Wauseon in 1947, Jack’s life was rooted in farming, public service, and a deep commitment to helping others. His journey in agriculture began after earning an associate’s degree in Agricultural Business from Clark State Community College. He worked as a feed salesman at Metamora Elevator before serving in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War. Upon returning home, Jack resumed his agricultural career, farming crops and livestock and later working as a buyer and manager for Lugbill Brothers and Michigan Livestock Exchange.
Jack’s entrepreneurial spirit led him to open Jack’s Town and Country Feed in Elmira, a business that served local farmers and became a community staple, complete with a friendly bulldog named Fred who greeted customers at the door. Jack’s knowledge of agriculture, paired with his approachable nature, made him a trusted advisor and friend to many in the farming community.
His service extended far beyond the farm. Jack served 26 years on the Fulton County Fair Board, where he helped establish the Fulton County Fair Auxiliary to support the fair’s continued growth. He was a 4-H advisor for 12 years, a member of the Fulton County Livestock Sale Committee, and a recipient of honorary FFA awards from both Evergreen and Archbold chapters. He also served as a Fulton County Commissioner for eight years and was Director of Defiance County Jobs and Family Services for two years.
Jack’s dedication to his community was evident in every role he took on, whether coaching girls’ softball in Fayette, serving as PTA president, or participating in the Salem4Youth Annual Charity Auction. He was a faithful member of Archbold Evangelical Church, where he served on the church council and as an usher. As a honored Vietnmam veteran, he was a member of Ridgeville Legion Post 454.
Above all, Jack was a devoted husband to his wife Molly, a loving father to daughters Jill and Jackie, and a proud grandfather of Dalton, Reece, and Macy. He often credited his family for supporting him in all his endeavors. He found joy in gardening, cooking, camping, and building dollhouses and barns for children and charity. His creativity, humility, and quiet leadership touched countless lives.
Larry Neuenschwander of Clinton Township is being inducted into the Hall of Fame for his remarkable contributions to agriculture and the Fulton County community.
Larry has been a full-time farmer since 1957, dedicating decades to cultivating the land and supporting the agricultural economy of Fulton County. His leadership extended beyond the farm as a member of the Gerald Grain Center Board of Directors from 1975 to 1988, including two years as President. During his tenure, Larry was instrumental in recommending and helping establish the Wauseon branch of Gerald Grain in 1978, a move that significantly improved market access for local farmers and paved the way for future expansions in Delta, Archbold, and Hamler.
Larry’s commitment to service is evident in his 40-year tenure as Clinton Township Trustee, where he worked tirelessly to support rural infrastructure and local governance. He has also served as President of the Wauseon Band Boosters, helping the band travel and perform in Orlando, Florida. He was also President of the Wauseon Swim Team.
A man of deep faith, Larry is a lifelong member of Emmaus Lutheran Church, where he currently serves as chairman and has held numerous leadership roles, including Sunday School teacher, and board member. He is also the founder and president of the Amigos Club, a fundraising organization dedicated to supporting children with juvenile diabetes.
Larry’s greatest pride is his family. He and his wife, Virginia (Ginni), raised three children – Jill, Joy, and Jason, instilling in them the same values of faith, service, and hard work that have defined his life. His legacy continues through them and the many lives he has touched in the agricultural and local community.
Jonathan R. Rupp of Franklin Township is being inducted into the Hall of Fame for his lifelong dedication to agriculture, agribusiness, and public service in Fulton County and beyond.
Jon was raised on his family’s farm in Franklin Township, where he spent his entire life dedicated to agriculture. Alongside his brother Jack, Jon took over their father’s operation and together they formed J&J Ag LLC. For over 40 years, the brothers raised hogs and farmed grain, building a strong partnership rooted in hard work and commitment to their land. In addition to his hands-on work in the field and barn, Jon was also the founder and owner of RJR & Associates Inc., a business he operated for more than 30 years. Through this venture, he designed, manufactured, and sold livestock equipment that supported producers across the region, improving animal welfare and farm efficiency.
Jon’s commitment to agriculture extends into public service. He has served on numerous boards and committees, including the Four County Solid Waste District, Fulton County Health Center Board of Directors, State Committee for the Farm Service Agency, and the OSU Extension Advisory Board. He served as a Franklin Township Trustee for 27 years and has been a Fulton County Commissioner since 2017. In these roles, he has been a strong advocate for rural communities, farmland preservation, and agricultural education. As a commissioner, Jon has served on the County Employee Benefit Consortium, the Ag and Rural Affairs Committee and the Water Quality Committee for the Ohio County Commissioners Association.
A man of faith and community, Jon is a member of St. John’s Christian Church, where he has served as a Deacon and an Elder, and is active in Gideon’s International. He volunteers regularly at the Fulton County Fair, where he has welded and painted the green gates in the pig and sheep barns – an iconic contribution appreciated by generations of 4-H youth and fairgoers. On Friday nights of the fair, Jon could be found grilling at the Pork Producers stand for over 30 years. He also supports events like Breakfast on the Farm and has served as a livestock buyer at the fair.
Jon’s leadership and example have inspired many, including his grandson, who now plans to pursue a future in agriculture. His legacy is one of innovation, mentorship, and service, qualities that have shaped the agricultural landscape of Fulton County for decades.