The 2015 Purdue Ag Alumni Fish Fry was special for Howard Doster in two ways. The former Purdue University Extension ag economist was elated to receive a Certificate of Distinction from Purdue Ag Alumni, one of six awarded this year.
The nomination and letters of support for the award came from his peers, and Doster says that means a lot.
It was also special because it was the 48th year in a row he has volunteered to help at the Purdue Ag Fish Fry. Perhaps in the past he carried signs or had other chores, but in today's "modern" Fish Fry, which does feature fish once again, he helps serve the food.
More than 100 volunteers are needed to make sure each table gets plenty of food, including roast pork and fish. Many of the volunteers are current and former Purdue educators, many are county educators.
Doster headed up the Purdue Top Farmer Crop Workshop for more than 30 years. He also coordinated the Indiana Farm Management Tour for a number of years. He received his honorary Master Farmer award many years ago.
Related: Mike Shuter 'happy to be here' at Purdue ag alumni event
Currently Doster and his wife, Barbara, split time between their restored homestead in Ohio and West Lafayette. Already past 80 years old, Doster still plays softball!
One of the projects he considers most dear to his heart is what he calls KTF, for Kids Top Farmer, based on the Top Farmer concept.
He is looking for families with 4-H and FFA kids, or for Farm Bureau Young Farmer families, who want to partner together with another similar couple and share information. He hopes to build peer groups including the kids and parents, much like he did with farmers in some parts of Indiana during his career.
If this is of interest to you, email tbechman@farmprogress.com and we'll get the word to Doster. Congratulations, Howard!