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Arkansas Ag Hall of Fame Announces Date for 2021 Induction Ceremony

Arkansas Ag Hall of Fame sets Aug. 20 induction ceremony

For immediate release

April 5, 2021

LITTLE ROCK — The Arkansas Agriculture Hall of Fame has announced Friday, Aug. 20 as a target date for the induction ceremony for its next class of inductees. The ceremony is scheduled to be held at the Embassy Suites in Little Rock. The six-person class was announced in January, though at that time the AAHoF’s board of directors chose to forego its traditional early March induction ceremony to allow time to further evaluate health guidelines, vaccination rates and public health trends surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic.

“We are still very cautious, though optimistic, that by late August the public health situation in Arkansas will be such that we can safely gather to celebrate these outstanding selections for the Arkansas Agriculture Hall of Fame,” said board chairman Butch Calhoun of Des Arc, a former secretary of the Arkansas Department of Agriculture. “The people of our state, including those in agriculture, have all dealt with a very difficult situation, with the pandemic affecting our businesses and personal lives.

“I know I share with so many a desire to celebrate with others the many blessings and benefits that we realize as a result of Arkansas agriculture. This will be an extra special occasion for these great inductees, their friends and families, and Arkansas agriculture in general.”

The class announced in January includes:

  • retired Cooperative Extension Service Director Rick Cartwrightof Fayetteville;
  • long-time ag educator Joe Don Greenwood of Hermitage;
  • the late Russell Roy Reynolds, the director of the U.S. Forest Service Crossett Experimental Forest for 34 years;
  • former Arkansas Farm Bureau President Randy Veach 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.

“This newest class, our 34th group of inductees, represents agriculture education, the seed industry, agri-business, row-crop production, agricultural/political advocacy, timber management, as well as agricultural research and outreach,” said Calhoun. “This group reflects the same tenets of success and impact that connect everyone previously selected for the Arkansas Agriculture Hall of Fame.

The new selections will bring to 176 the number of honorees in the AAHoF, 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.

This release can also be viewed at www.arfb.com.