Agricultural organizations and previous recipients of the Agricultural Hall of Fame and Ag-Industry awards have selected the 2024 recipients of the awards.

Nominations are solicited from interested ag-related organizations and businesses as well as former recipients of both awards. Each organization or individual may submit two nominees for Hall of Fame, which may include those who have retired from farming, are currently involved in farming, or from the service industry or organization. One ag-industry nomination may also be submitted.

Selected to receive this year’s Hall of Fame awards were Calvin Ernst and Joel Hunter, Meadville, and the Ag-Industry Award Chuck Dengler’s Farm Garage, Saegertown.

Ernst founded Ernst Crownvetch Farms in 1962, growing crownvetch seed, crownvetch plugs and crownvetch propagules utilized by most Northeast and Central U.S. highway departments for erosion control and roadside beautification.

Ernst’s accomplishments include: NW PA Council on Greenways & Trails Greenways Partner of Year Award in 2024; Economic Progress Alliance of Crawford County 54th Winslow Award 2023; National Agri-Marketing Association Agribusiness Leader of the Year 2018; Crawford County Conservation District Innovation Award 2011; American Agriculturalist Master Farmer Award 2008; Governor Raymond P. Shafer Distinguished Service to the Community Award 1997; Pheasants Forever Outstanding Support Award 2006; 25-year buyer 4-H/FFA Livestock Sale 2006; Atlantic Seed Association Seedsman of the Year Award 2004; Friend of French Creek Farmer/Landowner of the Year 2004; Gannon University’s Small Business Award 1998; and recipient of Ag-Industry Award 1995.

Hunter holds bachelor and master degrees in agronomy from Penn State University. He has been an American Society of Agronomy certified crop advisor since 1994.

Hunter’s primary professional interest was in developing no-till systems with rotations and cover crops for soil health and economic environmental sustainability. The last few years of the program included locally pioneering work with canola and camelina oilseed production and development with interest in renewable energy.

His accomplishments include: research graduate assistant, Agronomy Department, Penn State University, director of Penn State Cooperative Extension, Crawford County, 1995-2006, Penn State Extension educator — NW Dairy Team Agronomy; recipient of Distinguished Alumni Award, College of Agricultural Sciences in 2010; recipient of the Forage & Grassland Conservation Award in 2017; and member of the PA No-Till Association. He served in the U.S. Navy from 1974-78 and was awarded a Quilt of Valor in 2018 during the Ag Awards program held at the Crawford County Fairgrounds. He retired in 2021 after 26 years as a field and forage educator from Penn State Extension, Crawford County.

Selected to receive the Ag-Industry Award was Chuck Dengler’s Farm Garage, Saegertown. Dengler began at an early age milking cows and learning to fix things on his parents’ farm, which evolved into raising and showing dairy cattle in the Blooming Valley 4-H Club and local FFA. He later drove to Townville High School specifically for vocational agriculture classes while working for several neighboring farmers.

He worked as a mechanic for several years before his dream of owning his own farm came to fruition in 1968. Shortly after he left the local Chevy garage to farm full time. While establishing his own dairy herd, he continued to help other farmers with harvesting crops. His love for farming shines through his dedication, which was seen when he rebuilt his farm following the tornadoes in 1985. He continued to operate a dairy farm for 30 years.

In addition to the dairy farm, he began producing maple syrup and raising barnyard extras such as pigs, chickens and even horses. In 1998, he sold his dairy herd and soon after began building a beef herd. The beef herd remains today and is jointly managed with his grandchildren.

Dengler is an agriculture equipment mechanic. After years of repairing his and neighbors’s equipment, Dengler’s Farm Garage opened its doors to the community serving a vital repair niche of heavy-duty farm equipment and tractors of all sizes. He collects and restores antique tractors as well as dedicating countless hours to the pioneer Steam and Gas Engine Society.

He is a member of the NW & PA Maple Producers Association & Council; two-term Woodcock Township supervisor; associate director of the Crawford County Conservation District; Erie-Crawford Cooperative; Milk Marketing, Inc.; French Creek Valley Antique Engine Club; Ashtabula Antique Engine Club; Pioneer Steam & Gas Engine Society of NW PA; Florida Flywheelers organization; and supporter of 4-H & FFA Livestock Auction.

The awards program is administered by Crawford County Pomona Grange and includes these sponsoring individuals and organizations: Ellen Aurand, Ron and Betsy Brown, Kenneth and Phyllis Carr, Crawford County 4-H dairy leaders, Crawford County Dairy Promotion, Crawford County DHIA, Crawford County Fair Dairy Committee, Crawford County Holstein Club, Crawford County Pomona Grange, Dolly Run Farm in memory of Paul and Phyllis Kunz, Calvin Ernst and Ernst Conservation Seeds, Margaret Gevin, Ken and Doneva Hyde, Eleanor Kalinowski, Meadville Livestock Auction LLC, Gary and Vicky Shidemantle, Mercer County State Bank, Northwestern REC, Penn State Extension Crawford County, Leland and Karen Sayles, T. R. Shearer Ag Commodities Inc., Todd R. Shearer, Spaid Farm Service, Merle Spaid, Bruce and Cindie Stainbrook, and Westford Milling Company’s James and Sheree Griggs.

The awards will be presented at an open program Aug. 11 at 2 p.m. at New Beginnings Church, 13226 Leslie Road, Meadville. The program will also include the local commodity representatives. Light refreshments will be provided following the program.