Mid-Columbia Ag Hall Of Fame Announces Inductees
The Mid-Columbia Agriculture Hall of Fame announced its 2022 inductees last week. And those being recognized are being done so for their outstanding contributions to agriculture and agribusiness in four categories. This year’s class represents the 21st year Hall of Fame honors have been awarded to Mid-Columbia farmers, families and agribusiness leaders.
The Pioneer Award honors individuals who have had a significant influence on the development of agriculture and unselfishly served their communities. This year, we Zenaido and Angélica Martinez.
When Zenaido ‘Sam’ Martinez finished 3rd grade his family left their tiny family farm called “El Rancho La Buena Fe” in Los Angeles, Nuevo Leon, Mexico and begin migrating throughout the United States working on farms. In 1959, Sam married Angélica and began a family. Sam found work with Mr. Ray and Lucile Bailey in Mesa, where Sam and Angélica’s family grew very rapidly. Ray would give Sam a 25 cent raise when each new child was born. By 1965, Sam and Angelica had saved enough money to buy his first potato truck, a gas powered 10-wheeler. Sam continued to work for Ray Bailey driving a potato digger and his wife Angélica, drove their first potato truck hauling potatoes to the sheds. Time progressed and little by little, they were able to eventually purchase 12 trucks. Later, they purchased 250 acres on Colonial and Shefield Road near Basin City.
Changing from a laborer to a landowner, business owner and a highly respected community member takes vision, determination, and hard work and Sam & Angélica demonstrated all of these. They valued the farm life, the Ag community and taught their children to work hard, dream big and be a light in your community.
The Martinez’s recognized the Columbia Basin farming community as the land of opportunity. They worked tirelessly to make it a better place for himself and for all who came after him.
The Agriculture Advisor Award is given to an individual who has had a significant impact in ag-advancement and educational programs and similar organizations influencing the industry through leadership, guidance and community involvement. This year the honor goes to Jean Smith.
Jean Smith served as the Benton Franklin Area Extension Livestock Educator from 1980 through 2009. Jean was very active in local, state and national organization, both as an extension educator and as a volunteer. After her retirement, she continued her volunteerism. Jean was recognized as a valuable resource and was often interviewed or asked for reference materials on livestock related issues.
The Stewardship Award is presented to someone who has served the community and displayed leadership in agriculture over a long period. Butch & Judy Wiswall will receive the honor for 2022.
Butch & Judy’s passion for agriculture and his community is no secret to those in Franklin County. They possess a passion about giving the next generation an opportunity in agriculture. The Wiswalls have been active in many organizations, committing their time and effort to groups such as 4-H, BF Fair Stock Market, Star School District, Cattleman’s Association, Wheat Growers Association just to name a few.
The Visionary Award is a special honor that is conferred through a consensus of the Ag Hall of Fame Committee members. This year, John Williams & Jim Holmes will be bestowed with this honor.
John Williams & Jim Holmes planted the vineyard on what would become the Red Mountain AVA in 1975. Today the Red Mountain AVA is championed as on the best places in the world to grow powerful red wines, including Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot & Syrah. They were instrumental in the formation and early organization of the first AVA, Yakima Valley. As one of the first wineries in Washington State, Kiona Vineyards and Winery is still in operation. Jim & John were also the 2nd inaugural inductees into the legends of Washington Wine Hall of Fame.
The 2022 inductees to the Mid-Columbia Agriculture Hall of Fame will be honored at a dinner and installation gala at the Pasco Red Lion on Wednesday, January 19th.
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