cletus vetter memorial
​college scholarship

This scholarship is given in loving memory of Cletus Vetter, a man who leaves a legacy of love and respect to not only his family but to the many people he selflessly gave himself to.  He was a lifelong farmer who loved to nurture the soil and watch his crops grow.  Great soil and water conservationists do not evolve from our education systems, rather they are nurtured throughout their education and career building by conservation advocates who have traveled on before them.  This college scholarship is meant to bring back into focus the vital necessity and passion for resource conservation by encouraging college-bound students to consider a career in conservation, natural resources, agriculture or a related field.  This award is supported by funds from the Cletus Vetter Memorial College Scholarship Fund through the Defiance Soil & Water Conservation District and administered by the Defiance Area Foundation which provides professional management of local endowments

2025 Cletus vetter memorial college scholarship

The Defiance Soil & Water Conservation District (SWCD) will award one $1,000 college scholarship to a resident/student of Defiance County.  The recipient must be enrolled as a full-time student at a two-year or four-year accredited college, university or technical school beginning in the fall of 2025.  The scholarship will be payable directly to the college or university.

Applications are available at the Defiance SWCD office located at 06879 Evansport Road * Suite C, Defiance or can be obtained at www.defiance-county.com/swcd.  The deadline to apply is March 28, 2025. 
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For more information, please contact Brenda Aschemeier at the SWCD office at 419-782-1794.

Scholarship Application

2024 Scholarship Recipients

The SWCD has established this scholarship in memory of Clete Vetter. This annual $1,000 college scholarship is meant to bring back into focus the vital necessity and passion for resource conservation by encouraging college-bound students to consider a career in conservation, natural resources, agriculture, or a related field. The scholarship committee decided to award 2 - $1,000 scholarships this year. The scholarship committee reviewed many applications and based their decision on the course of study and the desire for higher education along with academic achievements, extra-curriculum activities, and determination.

​Andrew Timbrook graduated from Fairview High School and plans to attend Northwest State Community College to pursue his Agribusiness degree.

Emily Keefer graduated from Tinora High School and plans to attend Marietta College majoring in Environmental Studies (Pre-Law).​

The Defiance Soil and Water Conservation District and the Defiance Area Foundation partnered to raise funds to establish the Cletus Vetter Memorial College Scholarship for a Defiance County student/resident. The SWCD was fortunate to have Clete as a very active Supervisor for over 20 years. He gave endless hours of volunteerism and was active in many other organizations as well. Throughout Clete's lifetime, he made an impact on soil and water conservation through his farming practices and his leadership capabilities.

Past recipients were:
Tyler Woodbury - 2018 (Tinora Grad)
Eric Culler - 2019 (Fairview Grad)
Kasey Wilkerson - 2020 (Tinora Grad)
Cassandra Mavis - 2021 (Fairview Grad)
Jacob Stiltner - 2022 (Ayersville Grad)
Carrie Zeedyk & Molly McGuire - 2023 (Both Fairview Grads)