Arkansas Agriculture Hall of Fame to add six members
by January 5, 2021 11:22 am 649 views
The Arkansas Agriculture Hall of Fame will induct six new members during 2021 due to their leadership and service to the state’s largest business sector.
The newest class represents agriculture education, the seed industry, agri-business, row-crop production, agricultural/political advocacy, timber management, plus agricultural research and outreach.
The newest inductees include:
- Rick Cartwright, retired cooperative extension service Director of Fayetteville;
- Don Greenwood, long-time ag educator of Hermitage;
- Russell Roy Reynolds, the director of the U.S. Forest Service Crossett Experimental Forest for 34 years;
- Randy Veach, former Arkansas Farm Bureau President of Manila;
- Mark Waldrip of Moro, founder of Armor Seed Company; and
- Andrew Wargo III of Watson, farm manager for the 15,000-acre Baxter Land Company for more than 50 years.
Induction ceremonies for Class XXXIV have not been set. The Arkansas Agriculture Hall of Fame board of directors has decided to forego the traditional timeframe of early March and is working to secure a date for mid-summer.
“Arkansas agriculture is one of the great success stories of our state, and that is sometimes overlooked in today’s society,” said Butch Calhoun of Des Arc, chairman of the Arkansas Agriculture Hall of Fame. “This class reflects a remarkable line of success that connects everyone selected for the Arkansas Agriculture Hall of Fame.
“Like almost every program, we have been forced to adjust our schedule and plans, though we very much hope to have an in-person event to celebrate this marvelous class of inductees. When you pull together all parts of agriculture in celebration of our state’s largest industry, and to recognize those who have made such a meaningful contribution, it is a special, special day,” he said.
The new selections will bring to 176 the number of honorees in the Arkansas Agriculture Hall of Fame, begun in 1987.
The mission of the Arkansas Agriculture Hall of Fame is to build public awareness of agriculture and to formally recognize and honor individuals whose efforts have led to the prosperity of local communities and the state.