Few individuals have had as deep and lasting an impact on conservation in Defiance County as Cletus Vetter. A dedicated farmer, a humble leader, and a tireless volunteer, Cletus committed his life to stewarding the land he loved—and encouraging others to do the same.
From 1961 to 1981, Clete served on the Defiance Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD) Board of Supervisors, and from 1979 to 1981, he extended his influence across the region as an Area 1 SWCD Director. His contributions to soil and water conservation earned him recognition at the local, county, and state levels—but more importantly, they shaped the values of an entire community. Through his example, Clete showed us what it means to respect and protect our natural resources.
In 1998, staff members of the Defiance SWCD—Jim Harris, Mike Boff, Rick Hall, Kevin Hancock, and Terri Agler—decided to honor Cletus’s legacy by establishing a scholarship in his memory. Their goal was simple yet powerful: encourage the next generation to pursue careers in conservation, agriculture, and natural resources.
With support from the Defiance Area Foundation, the Cletus Vetter Memorial Scholarship was created. Each year, a $1,000 scholarship is awarded to a deserving Defiance County high school senior who plans to study conservation, agriculture, or a related field in college. It’s a lasting tribute to a man who loved to nurture the soil and watch things grow—not just crops, but people, communities, and ideas.
This fund not only honors Cletus Vetter’s legacy—it also invites students to follow in his footsteps, pursuing education that will equip them to care for the environment and sustain the land for generations to come.
The Defiance Area Foundation is proud to steward the Cletus Vetter Memorial Scholarship, and we extend our heartfelt thanks to the Vetter family and the SWCD staff whose vision and generosity made it possible.
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Support the Next Generation of Conservation Leaders
To learn more about supporting a scholarship fund—or creating one in memory of someone who inspired you—visit www.defianceareafoundation.org.
