Seven Catholic Farming Families Receive 2026 Century Farm Awards
Seven Catholic farming families were recognized for generations of faith, perseverance and stewardship during the Diocese of Toledo’s annual Mass for Farmers and Century Farm Awards on Thursday, October 1, at St. Michael Parish in Gibsonburg.
Bishop Daniel E. Thomas celebrated the 8:30 a.m. Mass, which brought together farmers, their families and members of the rural Catholic community to give thanks for the harvest and for the generations of men and women who have worked the land throughout the Diocese of Toledo.
During Mass, seven families received Century Farm Awards, an annual recognition presented to Catholic families who have maintained a working farm or homestead for 100 years or more.
The Mass for Farmers and Century Farm Awards are organized and sponsored by the Catholic Charities Diocese of Toledo Rural Life Advisory Board. The annual celebration recognizes not only the longevity of the farms, but also the faith, dedication and perseverance passed from one generation to the next.
“The annual Mass and Century Farm Awards presentation is an awesome opportunity for Bishop Daniel Thomas to recognize Catholic family farms throughout our Diocese that have been operating for 100 years or more,” said Rodney Schuster, executive director of Catholic Charities Diocese of Toledo. “It often brings multi-generation family members together in celebration of their farms.”
2026 Century Farm Award Recipients
- Herman Family Farm - This farm is located in Cloverdale and was founded in 1926. The owners are parishioners of Ottoville Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Ottoville of this row crop farm. Kathryn and Keith Herman are accepting the award for the Herman family.
- Joyce Wagner Walker and family Jerry Walker, Julie Walker, Jennie Walker, and Fr. Jeff - This farm is located in Custar and was founded in 1882. The owners are parishioners of St. Louis Catholic Church in Custar and presently have chickens and farm corn, beans and wheat.
- Emerine Farms, Owner Norman Emerine - This farm is located in Fostoria and was founded in 1861. The owners are parishioners of St. Wendelin in Fostoria and farm corn, soybeans, wheat and alfalfa crops.
- Steven and Mary Haslinger, Haslinger Orchards -This farm is located in Gibsonburg and was founded in 1926. The owners are parishioners of St. Michael Catholic Church in Gibsonburg. The Haslinger farm is a fruit orchard and also harvests vegetables and grain and operates a family run orchard/farm market.
- G Family Farms, Wetli Farms, and Schaefer Farms - This farm is located in Payne and was founded in 1927. The owners are parishioners of Divine Mercy in Paulding, and they harvest corn, soybeans and wheat on the farm.
- J.H. Rode Farm, Owners Tom and Allison Rode - This farm is located in Delphos and was founded in 1858. The owners are parishioners of Delphos St. John in Delphos and they harvest popcorn, soybeans and wheat and have a one room schoolhouse that was built in 1898.
- Winkler Family Farm -This farm is located in Leipsic and was founded in 1881. The owners are parishioners of St. Mary in St. George Deanery, and they harvest corn, soybeans and wheat. Members of the Schroder family are accepting the award.
After the Mass, Bishop Thomas joined the award recipients for a visit to Haslinger Orchards in Gibsonburg.
The farm visit has become an annual part of the Mass for Farmers celebration. Since arriving in the Diocese of Toledo, Bishop Thomas has made a point of visiting a local farm in conjunction with the event, reflecting the distinctly rural character of much of the Diocese and recognizing the many Catholic families whose lives and livelihoods remain closely connected to agriculture.
Haslinger Orchards, owned by Steven and Mary Haslinger, marked its 100th anniversary in 2026. In addition to its fruit orchard, the family farm produces vegetables and grain and operates a family-run orchard and farm market.
The visit offered Bishop Thomas an opportunity to see firsthand the work of one of this year’s Century Farm families and to spend time with those who continue a tradition begun by earlier generations.
“Our diocese is truly enriched by the deep fidelity and witness of our Catholic farmers,” Bishop Thomas has said of the annual celebration.
Through the Mass, Century Farm Awards and annual farm visit, the Diocese continues to honor that witness — giving thanks for the land, those who work it and the Catholic families who have cared for their farms across generations.
Posted October 2, 2026 at 5:03 pm