William J. "Bill" Richards, the former NRCS director in Washington in the early 1990s who was considered by many as the ‘Grandfather’ of no-till practices in the U.S., passed away Tuesday at his home. He was 93.

Richards was known by many as an Ohio farmer who was bitten by the no-till bug while attending college classes. After pioneering no-till practices on his Circleville, Ohio farm – becoming one of the first to do it on an entire farm operation – Richards was tapped to serve as chief of the NRCS, then known as the Soil Conservation Service.

He inspired countless growers across the U.S. to adopt and evolve no-till practices and had a deep repository of historical lessons learned about conservation policies in Washington. He was keenly aware of what policies stood the best change of resonating with farmers as he drew upon his practical experiences.

Bill is survived by his sons: Bruce S. Richards (Betsy), and Elmon S. Richards (Connie); daughter-in-law Loribeth Kowalski; his grandchildren: Ashley Richards (Geoffrey Robicheaux), Brock Richards (Siobhan), Mason Richards (Katherine), Maria Roberts (Frank), and Julie Foy (Patrick); step-grandchildren Jason (Kristi) Carithers and Lisa Salyers; several great-grandchildren; and special friend Grace Moore.

SERVICE INFORMATION

Visitation for Bill will be held at Richards Farms, 24537 Canal Road, Circleville, OH 43113, on Nov. 19 from 1-6 p.m. Funeral services will be held at Circleville Presbyterian Church, 134 E Mound St, Circleville, OH 43113, on Wednesday, Nov. 20 at 11a.m., with a private burial to follow.

Richards…