David “Doc” Steiner is inducted into the Allen County Agriculture Hall of Fame.
Precious Grundy / Lima News
LIMA — The Lima-Allen Chamber of Commerce inducted two honorees into the Allen County Agriculture Hall of Fame. This annual event was held Tuesday evening at the City Club of Lima. Steiner Stock Farm and Wallace Winegardner were honored for their contributions to agriculture in Allen County.
According to a recent press release, “Our goal with the Hall of Fame is to annually recognize local agriculturalists that have been instrumental to the success and excellence of agriculture in Allen County, either as a farmer or in an agriculturally related field,” said Russ Decker, Lima-Allen County Chamber’s Agri-business chairperson. “Both of our 2022 inductees truly reflect the award’s purpose of honoring and giving public recognition to those who have brought distinction to themselves, have made outstanding contributions to their professions and whose community involvement has served as a stimulus to others.”
Steiner Stock Farm is home to David B. Steiner. This family-owned business began in 1885. Previously known as a livery operation in Bluffton, Ohio, Steiner Stock Farm is now a standardbred race horse farm that currently features 26 broodmares (or female breeding horses). Steiner Stock Farm has shown throughout generations a true passion for horses and racing in Allen County.
Wallace Winegardner was honored as well for his commitment to farming and the local community. “Wally has farmed for more than 68 years with products such as crops and livestock. He also owned a roadside market with his wife Erma.
“This award means everything, really. I have been here all these years,” said Winegardner. “I was born and raised in Allen County. It is something I never thought would happen to me. When they said they were going to nominate me to be a member, I said what for? I’m just tickled to death to be a member of this organization; it means a lot to me.”
The Lima-Allen County Chamber of Commerce began hosting the event in 2013.
According to the Allen County Chamber of Commerce Website, “with over $139 million in annual crop and livestock sales, production agriculture is Allen County’s largest industry. Farms occupy over 80% of its land base.”
