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

To apply for this scholarship email [email protected] or call our office at 419-782-1794.  Entry deadline is Friday, March 27, 2026.

Left to right: Kortney Grinnell, McKenna Kimpel, Natalie Timbrook, Denny Vetter

2025 Cletus Vetter Memorial College Scholarship Awarded

Congratulations to the winners of the Cletus Vetter Memorial Scholarship. Awarded the 2025 scholarship were Fairview High School graduates; Kortney Grinnell, McKenna Kimpel and Natalie Timbrook. They all received a $1,000 scholarship.

Thank you to all those that applied and congratulations to the recipients!

2026 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 - $1,500 scholarships this year to William Zeedyk and Owen Speiser along with an additional $500 to Ruby Elston. 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.
William Zeedyk plans to attend Northwest State Community College  to pursue his Agribusiness degree.  He graduated from Fairview High School.
Owen Speiser plans to attend Owens Community College in the John Deere Technician program, he is also a graduate from Fairview High School.
Ruby Elston also graduated from Fairview High School and plans to attend Bowling Green State University to study Family and Consumer Science Education.
Congratulations to all 3 of the winners for 2026 and thanks to all that applied!
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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)
Eric Culler - 2019 (Fairview)
Kasey Wilkerson - 2020 (Tinora)
Cassandra Mavis - 2021 (Fairview)
Jacob Stiltner - 2022 (Ayersville)
Carrie Zeedyk & Molly McGuire - 2023 (Both Fairview) 
Andrew Timbrook - 2024 (Fairview) & Emily Keefer (Tinora)
​Kortney Grinnell, McKenna Kimpel, Natalie Timbrook - 2025 (All Fairview)
William Zeedyk, Owen Speiser $1,500 each; Ruby Elston $500 - 2026 (All Fairview)