At the recent Butler County Farm-City Banquet, the Farm Service Agency presented a certificate of appreciation to Harold W. Foertsch of Jefferson Township for 31 years of dedicated service as a FSA County Committee member.

The state executive director of the FSA, William Wehry, said Foertsch has always "benefited the producers and the agricultural community by going above and beyond the call of duty."

County committee members generally are only permitted to serve three consecutive three-year terms. However, each time Foertsch reached the term limit, there were organizational changes within the agency, including two name changes and the combination with Beaver and Allegheny counties. Each time a change occurred, the committee members' term limits were reset, but after 31 years, Foertsch finally reached the term limit.

Jeffrey Kennedy of Penn Township was elected to replace Foertsch in Local Administrative Area #3, which is comprised of the municipalities in the southern third of Butler County.

Throughout the years, when the election was in LAA #3, it was common for Foertsch to win 70 percent of the vote.

As an active participant in many organizations and the owner of a very large farming operation, Foertsch is well-known and liked among the 993 voters in LAA#3. It was amazing to see the committee act on various farm program applications over the years as it always seemed like he knew everyone. Whether it was from tractor pulling or 4-H or as a hay customer, he was familiar with the operation.

County committee members represent the U.S. Department of Agriculture and FSA at the grassroots level. Foertsch always upheld the highest standards of ethical conduct.

Sometimes adverse committee decisions involving a friend or neighbor needed to be made, but Foertsch always was impartial while serving on the committee.

Luke Fritz is executive director of the Butler County Farm Service Agency.