Saying good-bye to a one-of-a-kind

Nichols If you asked Steve Nichols what he enjoys most in life, he’d probably tell you about his family. Later maybe much later you’d be sure to hear some pretty funny yarns about folks who have crossed his path in the agricultural world.

As an extension educator for agriculture, Nichols has been helping farmers with their farming operations for more than 30 years; and he says he’s enjoyed every bit of it. Hog judging is another thing he gets a lot of satisfaction from.

As a nationally-respected swine judge, Nichols has traveled to state 4-H fairs in Indiana, Illinois, Michigan, Ohio, New Mexico, Oklahoma and Texas. He has judged the Houston Stock Show, the largest show in America.

His friend Jerry Hendress said, “He works great with the kids; he takes an interest in them. When there is a little first-year 4-Her who is about 65 pounds and is showing a hog that is 250 pounds, Steve will put her at ease and ask her what kind of pig she has or where she got it. And he always says something positive.”

Hendress chuckled as he remembered a tale Nichols had told him about a 4-Her. It went like this: I was judging a show down in Texas. I turned to a nervous youngster and asked him what breed of pig he had. He gave me the right answer. And when I moved on to the next exhibitor, I could hear him whisper, “Dad, what kind of a judge do we have? He doesn’t even know what kind of pig I have!”

Nichols came to Carroll County in 1977, after working in Clark County for the first two years after his graduation from Purdue University, where he earned a master’s degree. For the past 30 years, he’s been helping farmers with everything from pesticide application to hog production.

Bill Pickart has known Nichols for nearly three decades.

“He’s innovative; he’s received the Innovator Award for Agricultural Extension Educators. His last crop clinic – his first was 18 years ago – brought in farmers from 18 counties. They know the quality of his work.”

Nichols is too modest to say it, but his friends will tell you that he is known throughout the county for his integrity. Hendress said his friend never lets politics influence his judging. “He’s fair, and he uses good judgment.”

The county council believed strongly enough in Nichols’ judgment to help him build the 4-H Community Building at Flora. He said people in all sorts of organizations had been meeting at the high schools. He wanted Carroll County to have a real community building. Being a good steward of other people’s money is important to Nichols, and he said they paid off the note in less than half the time allowed. He said Carroll was able to use the building for a kindergarten for two years.

The creation of the Carroll County Ag Hall of Fame is another of Nichols’ achievements. He said he thought of the idea one night while he was working on his farm.

“Cleaning the farrowing building is not the most mentally challenging job, and it gives you time to think about things. I started thinking about all the people who do so much for the community, and I Continued page 5A wanted to somehow let them know how much they were appreciated,” he said.

Nichols said he contacted Pickart and a few others, and in 1993, organized a board, and inducted their first class in 1994.

“Everyone needs a pat on the back,” Nichols said. “These people give so much, and they sacrifice their time for their community.”

In 1998, under protest, Nichols himself was inducted into the Hall of Fame. Over the years he has won the Meritorious Service Award from the Indiana Pork Producers Association, Indiana Extension Educators Association Top Senior Award; and several other state awards. He has served many organizations including: the Indiana Board of Animal Health Swine Advisory Committee; Carroll County Pork Producers; Carroll County Area Plan Commission since 1977; Economic Development Commission; The Andersons Grain Terminal Advisory Board; Indiana Duroc Breeders Association, where he is currently on the board of directors; and several other state and national boards.

Pickart said that during the 4-H fair, Nichols works tirelessly behind the scenes to see that everything runs smoothly, keeping everything from the computers to the judges on schedule.

“That week, he has little time for sleep, but as is typical for Steve, he never complains.”

Pickart said there are few others who have served their communities “in a more diligent and self-sacrificing manner.”

Nichols and his wife Chere have three children, Charlie, Brandi, and Woody. Brandi said of her dad, “He’s a great guy! He’s never met a stranger. If we went on vacation and met someone, he’d make them a friend by the end of vacation.”

Three hundred people attended Nichols’ retirement party recently. His brother, who attended the event, called him the next day and said he hadn’t felt such a sense of community and family since they were kids.

And that’s what it all boils down to for Nichols.

“The Lord is first,” he said. “And family is right there, too. Then, it’s about community. When you stop and look at the big picture, you can see that some things aren’t so important. People are what’s important.”