Sustainability Advocate & Community Leader:  Tate Emerson lives in Killbuck Township with his wife Krista and their three children—Lyla, Griffin, and Decker. He grew up on a fourth-generation Wayne County dairy farm and is a passionate advocate for sustainable agriculture and energy, Tate has devoted his life to protecting soil and water health for future generations.

He serves as Executive Director of the Killbuck Watershed Land Trust, where he works closely with landowners across Wayne County to safeguard farmland from development and advance conservation practices. Under his leadership, the Land Trust has restored nearly 600 acres of wetland, forest, and prairie in Holmes County in partnership with diverse local, state, and federal organizations.

Tate’s collaborative approach extends through his active involvement in groups such as the Ag Success Team, American Farmland Trust, National Agricultural Land Network, LEED, Wayne County Sustainable Energy Network, Local Roots, and the American Society of Mechanical Engineers. His deep commitment to environmental stewardship and agricultural innovation is grounded in community resilience, especially in light of climate volatility and shifting populations.

Through teamwork and vision, Tate works every day to ensure that Ohio’s land and water remain a thriving legacy for generations to come.