It Happened in Crawford County: Farming and family make a fulfilling life for Clay Ehmann

Clay Ehmann is the son of John and Mary Hohler Ehmann. His siblings are Traci Coffman, John C. “J. C.” and Elisa Griffin.

Clay started school at Colonel Crawford where he played high school basketball and baseball but quit sports to get the spring crops planted. He was also a member in FFA. Clay went to Pioneer Career and Technology Center in Shelby, in his junior and senior year, studying diesel mechanics, which was a good decision since it helped his career. Clay is a third-generation farmer. He always knew he wanted to farm; it’s in his blood. His grandfather, Winfield Ehmann, rented and later bought the farm east of Bucyrus in 1949. Grandma Edith was the typical farm wife. The second generation was Clay’s father, John, who purchased the farm in the ‘70s from his dad. John kept the milking cows until 1966 when they were sold. Grandpa Winfield’s health wasn’t good, and John was serving in the Army following the Korean and Vietnam wars. When he returned home, they went back into the hog and cattle business.

Clay is the third generation and officially got his start by renting 58 acres of farmland when he was a sophomore — a big undertaking for a young man, raising corn and beans. He also worked for J&F Construction with the steel crew, erecting steel buildings for 15 years. “I got really good at it," he said.

Then in 1996, he built a hog barn and became a contract grower for Hord Livestock. It was a lifesaver. Once the hog barn was paid off, he could quit construction and work full-time farming. The barn holds over 1,100 hogs which come to him two or three times a year. He is a finish grower, raising 40- to 60-pound piglets to market weight of 270 to 300 pounds. They have an automated feeding system on a timer, climate-controlled with fans or heaters. Hord’s provides the feed and medicine, and Clay provides the labor, water and other necessities.

Clay also started raising 50 head of cattle about 10 years ago as a contract grower for the MKB Farms. Clay had the existing buildings, and he wanted extra income. MKB Farms was a good working situation for both parties.

Clay and Mary's courtship

Clay met Mary Miller in January 2004 when she was working at the south branch of Farmers Citizens Bank. They were involved in remodeling and J&F Construction were the contractors. When Mary looked out the window, she saw Clay running a skid loader. She thought he was "cute," and a co-worker gave Mary his phone number and a little background. “Love at first sight," they both agreed. They dated about six months, before their engagement and then married in December 2005. Clay says, “when you know it’s the ‘one’ there’s no sense beating around the bush.”

Mary is a daughter of Alex Miller Jr. and Wanda Miller. She has a brother, Alex III. Mary enjoyed school, hanging out with friends and their many school activities. She also ran track and cross country and was a member of the band. She graduated from Bucyrus High School in 1999.

Mary enrolled at Marion Technical College and received her associates in business management and marketing. She went on to Franklin University, receiving a bachelor’s degree in business administration. She worked at the bank for six years, and then she worked at Edward Jones for about eight years. She was a substitute teacher for about five years until a full-time position as an educational aide opened at Wynford. She is also a newly elected clerk for Whetstone Township. She went through the campaigning process, following Clay’s footsteps, since he was a township trustee for 12 years for Whetstone Township.

Mary didn’t have any farm experience. She was a "city gal." But now she is a "whatever is needed" farm gal. She’s come a long way, unloading straw, pitching manure. Clay can count on her to do the chores when needed and he knows it will be done right. She is learning to drive "very big" farm tractors, too. Clay said “she’s not afraid to get dirty and sweaty” because at the end of the day, it’s a family farm. They thank God for their blessings, and they’ve learned how important farmers are feeding America and other countries around the world.

Clay and Mary have three daughters. Elizabeth or “Lizzie” is 17 and an incoming junior at Colonel Crawford. Robin is 16 and will be a sophomore, and 13-year-old Abby will be in the eighth grade. Two are in basketball, one is in track and three are involved in 4-H. Their project is dairy beef feeders.

Every day is a learning adventure for this family; never two days are the same. They feel blessed to do what they want and Clay says he only answers to himself. Success means working together to make it happen, through good times and bad. It’s an Ehmann Family Farm. Clay’s brother J.C. and his son Keith contribute their helping. Mom Mary is 83 but keeps up with the “kids," including bringing them lunch when they are in the field working.

Go online for more of Mary Fox’s stories and photos on bucyrustelegraphforum.com. If you are interested in sharing a story, write Mary Fox, 931 Marion Road, Bucyrus, OH 44820 or email [email protected].

This article originally appeared on Bucyrus Telegraph-Forum: Clay Ehmann carries on his family's farming legacy