Jake Ottinger was named the third recipient of the annual Roger Carter Service to Youth Award, presented at the annual Farm-City Banquet, a project of the Agribusiness Committee of the Greene County Partnership.
Established posthumously in 2024, the award honors the memory of Roger Carter, who was known for his lifelong support and contributions to local youth. Carter was also a strong supporter of the Future Farmers of America (FFA) program. The award recognizes individuals who demonstrate selfless dedication, financial support and active volunteerism in supporting local youth in agricultural endeavors.
Ottinger has spent nearly three decades supporting Greene County youth through his work with Modern Woodmen, helping secure funding for schools, sports teams and families in need. His volunteer service includes leadership roles with the Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, Salem Lutheran Church and South Greene FFA Alumni, along with chaperoning youth trips across the country. He also helps oversee the Junior Fair Board at the Greene County Fair, providing young people opportunities to develop leadership skills and take responsibility for major community events.
Cory Malone presented the award and said this of Ottinger:
“Every year at the Farm City Banquet, we gather to celebrate the heartbeat of Greene County—our agricultural heritage, our community spirit, and the people who make this county a wonderful place to call home. Tonight, I have the distinct privilege of presenting the Roger Carter Memorial Award for distinguished service to youth. This award honors the legacy of a man who believed deeply in the potential of our young people, and tonight’s recipient lives out that very same belief every single day. Tonight’s recipient is a Greene County native, a family man, and a lifelong supporter of youth in our community.
His life is deeply rooted in our local community. Alongside Jennifer, his wife of 25 years, he has raised three wonderful children right here on their family farm. But his definition of family extends far beyond the borders of his own property. For the past 28 years, his career as a Modern Woodmen District Representative has been much more than a job—it has been a platform for profound community impact. Through their fraternal programs, he has run several Youth Service Clubs, securing critical funding for local school projects, sports teams, and providing a safety net for local youth facing hunger, homelessness, and poverty.
If you look at the major milestones of a young person growing up in Greene County, chances are Jake Ottinger had a hand in shaping them.
For 13 years, he was the ultimate support system as the “Cookie Dad” for Girl Scout Troop 464. Today, he keeps things moving forward as the treasurer for Boy Scout Troop 96. He hasn’t just stayed behind a desk, either. Jake has packed his bags and chaperoned our youth on life-changing, high-adventure trips from the trails of North Carolina and Tennessee to rugged camps in South Dakota, Maine, and right here at Camp Davy Crockett. He has shown our kids what it means to be resilient, curious, and responsible stewards of the world around them.
His faith and his passion for our agricultural roots run just as deep. Whether he is actively leading youth activities at Salem Lutheran Church or giving back to the organization that helped shape him as a proud South Greene FFA Alumni, he ensures our traditions stay alive.
Perhaps nowhere is his impact more visible than at the Greene County Fair. Alongside his long-time friend Carla Reaves, he oversees the Junior Fair Board. Under the Andrew Johnson Pavilion, he doesn’t just manage; he empowers. He steps back so that our local youth can step up, giving them the leadership skills, confidence, and responsibility to run major community events themselves.
Roger Carter knew that the future of Greene County relies entirely on how we support, resource, and love our youth. Tonight’s recipient lives that truth through his financial stewardship, his tireless volunteer hours, and his unwavering mentorship. It is my honor to present the 2026 Roger Carter Memorial Award to a true servant leader, Jake Ottinger.”
Roger Carter Award Winners
2024 – Roger Carter
2025 – Emily Poe
2026 – Jake Ottinger
