Bernard Scott has worked tirelessly through the years to protect the natural environment while encouraging agricultural entrepreneurship.

Scott was the first and only child in his family of six to go to college. The initiative he displayed as a high school student through his 4-H and Future Farmers of America activities led him to Ohio State. He worked his way through college and married his high school sweetheart, Jean, during his last year at Ohio State. He became a father and a college graduate in mid-1961, and by the following fall he had arrived in the small town of Tontogany, Ohio, with his young family and took on the job of instructor in the fledgling vocational agriculture education program, now called agri-science education, in the Otsego School District.

During his 38-year teaching career, Scott had a tremendous impact on the lives of the students who spent time in his classroom and shop. His daughter, Joyce Hay, who nominated him for the award, wrote, "Many came from strong rural farm families, and some came into his classroom without that advantage. Some of us were going on to college and careers in and outside of agriculture, and others were going home to work on the family farm or in agribusiness. No matter your background or resources, if you displayed any ambition, 'Mr. Scott' became your advocate; he became your 'fan.'"

Scott gave freely of his time and resources to organizations including the Agricultural Incubator Foundation, Wood County Center for Agriculture, Wood County Soil and Water Conservation District, and the local United Way. A Life Member of the Alumni Association, Scott also was involved in numerous professional, educational, and agricultural associations.

Several community members wrote in support of Scott's nomination, including Richard Edwards, former Wood County administrator. He praised Scott for helping county officials think strategically regarding agricultural issues. "Thanks to Bernie and his leadership skills, Wood County has vastly improved facilities for agricultural youth projects, and has taken some bold, forward-thinking steps to the incorporation of all agricultural-related services at one site. To be sure, when Bernie speaks, the county commissioners and others in authority listen."

Debbie Ayers, a former student and current agri--science instructor at Otsego High School, also wrote in support of Scott, calling him "a man who is a constant giver to the community, the local school district, and numerous organizations. I am positive I have never heard the word 'no' come from his mouth or anything negative. He is an unbelievable man who reminds me of the Energizer Bunny: he just keeps going and going and going."