BROOKVILLE, Ohio — Fred Glander is a pillar of the agricultural community and a staple to Montgomery County, Ohio, soil and water conservation efforts.
In August of 1965, Fred was appointed to complete the unexpired term on the Montgomery Soil and Water Conservation District Board of Supervisors created by the death of Clarence King. Fred was reelected in 1966 to what would become a lifetime of service with the Montgomery SWCD. To date, Fred has served the District for the past 57 years.
Fred was born and raised in Germantown, Ohio, a small village in southwest Ohio of 5,500. He graduated from Germantown High School and in 1955 was drafted into the U.S. Army. Fred served two years in the military and was stationed in California and Virginia. After discharge from the service, he spent two years as a tool and die apprentice and worked making paper production machines for several years.
Glander still today farms around 500 acres of land in German Township with his son Kenny and Daughter-in-Law Marsha. At the peak of farming operations, they worked 1,700 acres. They have a diversified family farm operation growing row crops, hay and producing livestock.
Wise use and management of soil and water conservation practices is evident on their farmland. Over the years they have converted to no-till and the use of cover crops. They have extensively utilized tiling and the incorporation of grass waterways. The entire family is involved with agricultural groups and community affairs.
As a hobby, Fred keeps some unusual types of livestock: white-tailed deer, turkey and raccoons, with appropriate permits, of course. Fred is interested in focusing Montgomery SWCD resources on the county’s storm water and erosion control activities in urban areas. He would also like to facilitate the design and implementation of several group drainage project annually. He believes that a good relationship with the County Commissioners, Engineer and OSU Extension is very important.
One significant event during Fred’s tenure was in August 1970 when Montgomery SWCD became the first District in Ohio to own property with the purchase of 1.3 acres and a 1-1/2 story building for its office. He’s helped institute the construction of several multi-county drainage programs for the betterment of the entire local watershed. He is also proud that shortly after his tenure began, employees of the SWCD received health care coverage.
While serving the Montgomery County Soil and Water Conservation District he has held all posts of leadership, including member, treasurer, vice chair and chair. He regularly attends the summer Supervisors school and annual Ohio Federation meetings. In addition to his service on the SWCD Board, Fred has been active at the State and Nation level attending more than 75 conferences and meetings over the years. He has served on the local Zoning Board, been a member of state Dairy and Pork Associations and a member of Farm Bureau. He spent ten years as a 4-H member and 40 years as an advisor.
When attending meetings Fred has always arrived early and stayed late. He loves visiting sites on tours. Asked about several memorable experiences from national meetings he loves to tell of his trip to Galveston, Texas, and the tour of an off-shore oil well. He also was fascinated by the behind-the-scenes operation of the San Antonio Riverwalk pump and flood control system.
Never one to sit on the sidelines, he just recently hosted the county FFA soils CDE on his farm which was attended by more than 140 high school students.
When asked what advice he would give to a beginning soil and water employees he said, “You have a great future. You’re needed. You have the opportunity to see practices come to life.”
We believe Fred is the oldest and longest serving active Supervisor in the country.
Fred just celebrated his 90th birthday, on Labor Day, and his 57th consecutive year as a Supervisor.
The citizens of Montgomery County, Ohio and the Montgomery SWCD are proud and honored by the dedication Mr. Fred Glander has shown, and continues to show towards the conservation of soil and water resources.
— Montgomery Soil and Water Conservation District