FAIRFIELD COUNTY — The Wolfe family of Fairfield County has been named the Area 5 winner in Ohio’s 2026 Conservation Farm Family Awards, honoring decades of work to improve soil health, water quality and environmental stewardship.
The Ohio Department of Agriculture announced six Conservation Farm Family Award recipients during the Farm Science Review in London. The awards recognize farm families for conserving soil, water, woodlands, wildlife and other natural resources while sharing conservation practices with the public through educational programs.
“This year’s honorees demonstrate innovation, integrity, and dedication to conservation that not only strengthen their operations, but also the future of Ohio agriculture,” said Ohio Department of Agriculture Director Brian Baldridge.
The Wolfe family’s 1,500-acre operation produces corn, soybeans, wheat, hay and cover crops. The farm employs a wide range of conservation practices, including cover crops, no-till farming, drainage water management, streambank restoration and variable-rate fertilizer application.
Mike Wolfe’s commitment to conservation dates back to when he purchased the farm after high school. The operation participates in the Agricultural Easement Purchase Program, and Wolfe was named the Fairfield Soil and Water Conservation District’s Cooperator of the Year in 2017.
The Conservation Farm Family Awards are among Ohio’s top honors for agricultural stewardship, celebrating families that pair productive farming with long-term care for the land.
