Ralph E. Bender

Ralph E. Bender, Franklin County, has served 45 years in agricultural education. From 1948-78, he was Chairman of the Department of Agricultural Education at The Ohio State University and is directly responsible for the department’s recognition as one of the world’s most outstanding for study in agricultural education. He served as President of the Ohio Future Farmers of America and Vice President of the National FFA.

He taught agricultural education at several universities in the United States and worked with other countries to help them develop agricultural education programs. He served locally as school board president, is active in his church and a member of both the Masonic Lodge and the Grange.