The Ohio Cattlemen’s Association honored Stickel Farms of Bowling Green with the Environmental
Stewardship Award at the OCA awards banquet held Jan. 12 at the Nationwide Hotel and Conference Center
in Lewis Center.
Each year, in an effort to recognize individuals who excel in preserving and protecting the environment
associated with their farm, OCA and In Ohio Country Today jointly sponsor the Environmental Stewardship
Award.
The award presentation featured a video of Stickel Farms, which was sponsored by the Ohio Beef Council.

Andy and Brian Stickel are the fourth generation to operate Stickel Farms, a diversified grain and
livestock operation. Andy’s wife, Erin, and the two brothers’ parents, Dale and Mary Elyse, are also
active in the operation.
Stickel Farms grows corn, soybeans, wheat, alfalfa and processing tomatoes, operates a hay and straw
business and raises close to 400 head of feedlot cattle per year. They also have a 40-head cow-calf
operation on the farm. The family chooses to forward market their cattle through an all-natural program,
overseen by Erin Stickel.
While the operation is always looking to grow, they are primarily aiming to become more self-sustainable.

Due to their location in Northwest Ohio, they are no stranger to water quality and the issues associated
with it. In order to minimize runoff and nutrient-loading in their watershed, they have incorporated
practices like no-till, the use of cover crops and limiting the use of commercial phosphorus.
They hope to leave their land and resources in better condition so the next generation will have the
opportunity to be involved with production agriculture and continue the family’s legacy.