Mr. Richard Indoe was honored Saturday, May 12, as a recipient of the Dairy Science Hall of Service Award for 2012.
Upon graduation from The Ohio State University in 1959 with a Bachelor of Science in Dairy Science, Mr. Richard Indoe joined his father in the family’s farm known as Richman Farms. Dick welcomed his sons, Tom and Bill, into the operation in the 1980’s. Richman Farms is an all registered herd with one of the highest breed adjusted averages for Type (BAA) in the State and has one of the most outstanding 2X herd average for milk production with 74 Holstein, 7 Jersey, and 7 Brown Swiss cows of 28,705 lb milk, 1,180 lb fat, and 894 lb of protein. He has sold cattle all over the US and to other countries, including Canada, Greece, Spain, and South America. They promote their herd and the dairy industry by exhibiting at local, district, and national shows, having exhibited several All-American and All-American nominated cattle. Dick has been showing at the Ohio State Fair for over 50 years, having received five Grand Champion Holstein banners. He was enshrined in the prestigious Ohio State Fair Hall of Fame in 2010.
The Richman farm was destroyed by a tornado in 2006. Dick, along with his sons, rebuilt a new facility complete with many new innovations for cow comfort and environmental sustainability. Their facility also has a meeting room in the office that has hosted many meetings for 4-H clubs, FFA programs, school tours, community groups, and Holstein field days to promote the dairy industry. Dick welcomes the opportunity to host their city cousins to promote agriculture and the dairy industry.
Dick has excelled in his support of local youth. He was a 4-H adviser for 25 years, leading to him receiving the 4-H Meritorious Service award. He has supported the Media County FFA chapters through allowing tours, judging contests, and provided meeting rooms for them. He also was a member of the local Joint Vocational School Curriculum Committee and served on the Media County Fair Board for 15 years. He always graciously provides cattle for the judging contests held during Spring Dairy Expo. He received the Honorary Chapter Farmer Degree from the Cloverleaf FFA Chapter and the FFA Outstanding Service Award. In addition, he served on The Ohio State University Dairy Science Advisory board and is a past Boy Scout Troop committeeman.
He has served the Ohio Holstein Association through involvement in committee work, as President of the Association, and as a national delegate. He has represented Ohio and dairy farmers around the country by this service as a member of the Board of Directors for the National Holstein Association, USA. The respect and appreciation for his leadership service to the registered Holstein breeders of Ohio was shown when he received the Ohio Holstein Association Distinguished Service Award in 2008.
Dick has served his community as a Harrisville township trustee for 20 years, President of the Medina County Ruritan Club, President of the Medina County Rotary Club, Master of the Harrisville Lodge F & A.M., and Royal Arch Mason of the Grand Council of Royal and Select Masons of the Knights of the Templar.
Mr. Richard Indoe’s work with mentoring young people, his lifetime of work serving Ohio and US dairy farmers, his leadership in the community, and his promotion of the dairy industry while building a nationally recognized herd make him worthy of this prestigious award. Dick’s impact is evidenced by supporting letters with comments such as, “he works to make his community a better place” and “…he was of the highest character. His decisions were always about what is best for the group he represented.” The recognition provided as a recipient of the Dairy Science Hall of Service Award acknowledges Dick’s many contributions to the Ohio dairy industry and to the development of young people.
Photos: http://ansci.osu.edu/alumni-and-friends/