Gary Mast '71

Gary Mast '71 was inducted into the 50^th Class of the Ohio Agricultural Hall of Fame on August 7, 2015. A sixth-generation farmer, Gary and his brother farm more than 1,200 acres in Holmes County. Gary has been an ardent advocate for agriculture at the local, state and national levels. He has served on the leadership team for the Ohio Federation of Soil and Water Conservation Districts and as a board member of the Holmes County Soil and Water Conservation District and Holmes County Farm Bureau. On a national level, Mast served as deputy undersecretary for natural resources and environment, one of the top positions with the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

Gary earned his bachelor of arts degree in Biology at Malone and was named the 2008 Alumnus of the Year. His numerous achievements include Ohio Supervisor Hall of Fame inductee by the Ohio Federation of Soil and Water Conservation Districts, Environmental Protection Agency District 5 Distinguished Service Award, and International Honor Award for Conversation Activities by the Soil and Water Conservation Society.