Former Sen. Blanche Lincoln, former House Speaker Benny Petrus among Agri Hall of Fame inductees

The Arkansas Agriculture Hall of Fame is set to add six new members to its ranks. The newest inductees will be recognized for their contributions to the fields of soybean, rice, forestry and cotton, along with their impactful roles in the United States Congress and the Arkansas Legislature.

“What an amazing group of farmers and those who help our farmers make agriculture Arkansas’ No. 1 business sector,” said Arkansas Agriculture Hall of Fame Chair Debbie Moreland of Roland. “Agriculture is such a critical cultural and economic part of Arkansas. It is what binds so much of our state together.”

Jim Carroll III of Moro, who served on local and national boards, including chair of the United States Soybean Board, helped to expand global markets, research innovation and strengthen sustainable production.

Joe Fox of Fayetteville had a 50-year career in forestry and wood products, highlighted by uniting forestry businesses, nonprofits and state agencies to establish Arkansas’s largest conservation easement.

Allen B. Helms Jr. of Clarkedale partnered with his dad in 1971 to form Allen Helms & Son and has managed multiple farms, warehouses, gins and companies over the years.

Blanche Lincoln of Washington, D.C., contributed to the agriculture industry in rural Arkansas and across the nation, serving Arkansas in the U.S House of Representatives and the U.S. Senate. She was the Senate Agriculture chair during her final term.

John Paul Pendergrass of Charleston sustained and expanded a family cattle operation that started in 1870. As co-owner since 1979, he has grown Pendergrass Cattle Company into one of Arkansas’ leading stocker and feeder cattle outfits.

Benny Petrus of Stuttgart built, owned and/or operated five agricultural businesses, two automobile dealerships and served in the Arkansas House of Representatives (2003-08). He was the Speaker of the House for one term.

Induction ceremonies are slated for March 27 in the Wally Allen Ballroom at the Statehouse Convention Center in Little Rock.