2026 Distinguished Service Award: Allen Gahler & Family | Gahler Farms

We proudly honored Allen “Al” Gahler of Graytown, Ohio as our 2025 Distinguished Service Award recipient.  Al and his wife, Susie, are the embodiment of dedication and a deep passion for agriculture. Gahler Farms is a diverse family operation covering nearly 2,000 acres. From his earliest days in 4-H, Al was an ambassador for the industry. During that time, he began helping transition the family cowherd into a registered Angus operation — a breed he values for its efficiency, consistency, and the data and tools that help cattlemen make informed decisions.

Today, Al works alongside his nephew, Brayden Hayes, sharing the day-to-day responsibilities of the cattle business where he has pushed the program forward by utilizing different technologies like A.I., embryo transfer and performance records. Alongside the cattle business, the family also operates a custom hay and straw program that supports both the farm and their community.

Al served as Ohio Angus Association Secretary and Fieldman from 2007 to 2011. He later served as President from 2021 to 2023 — staying an additional year to help lead the Association through an important transition. He has served on the Board of Directors for many years, and for the last two years, he has served as Chairman of the Board.

If you’ve ever had a question about how our Association runs — the constitution, the bylaws, parliamentary procedure, or simply, “What’s the right way to handle this?” — you already know the answer: you call Al. He is the go-to for clear answers and steady guidance, and he has been integral in supporting our current Secretary and Fieldman, Jacy, with his time, his talent, and his leadership.

None of this would be possible without Al’s incredible family, especially Susie. Susie is the

steady force behind the scenes — supporting the long days, the meetings, and the constant pull between farm, work, and service. Together, Al and Susie are raising their children, Griffin, Lily, Addy and Carrie, in the same values that built this legacy: faith, responsibility, and a love for agriculture.

What stands out most about Al isn’t just his accomplishments, but his character. He is dependable, thoughtful, and committed. He leads with knowledge and humility, and he embodies what it means to be a mentor and a leader in the Angus community.

Please join us in celebrating Allen “Al” Gahler, Susie, and their family as we honor them with the 2025 Distinguished Service Award.