(PHOTO PROVIDED / THE VILLAGE REPORTER)
INDUCTEES … Randy Rice, Gary Pennington, Donald R. Fogle, D.V.M., and Jeffrey Simon (posthumously).
By: Renea Kessler
THE VILLAGE REPORTER
renea@thevillagereporter.com
The Ohio State University Extension Office and the Hall of Fame selection committee have recently announced the 2024 inductees to the esteemed Fulton County Agriculture Hall of Fame.
This Hall of Fame is dedicated to honoring individuals who have dedicated 25 years or more to serving the agriculture industry in our county, state, or region. Since its inception in 1983, 163 honorees have been inducted into the Hall of Fame across 41 classes.
It is a nonprofit organization community group headed by Jim Spiess and John Poulson. The committee is comprised of representatives from local commodity groups, cattle feeders, pork producers, dairy associations, and county agriculture teachers.
They receive four individuals each year who have gone above and beyond in the agriculture industry here in Fulton County.
The inductees for this year were carefully selected by the Hall of Fame Committee in July following a thorough review of all applications.
The official announcement of the inductees was made at a ceremony held on Monday, August 19th at St Caspar Catholic Church in Wauseon.
These exceptional individuals will be permanently commemorated with a plaque at the Fulton County Fairgrounds and an identical plaque to place in their homes.
The Hall of Fame inductees were Donald R. Fogle, D.V.M., Gary Pennington, Randy Rice, and Jeff Simon.
Donald R. Fogle, D.V.M., from York Township, was inducted into the Hall of Fame for his outstanding contributions to the livestock industry of Fulton County and beyond. He has served as an official vet for the Fulton County Fair since 1985.
Gary Pennington, from Chesterfield Township, was inducted for his contributions to the pork industry and service to Fulton County.
Randy Rice, from Chesterfield Township, a lifelong Fulton County resident, was inducted for his dedication of over 45 years to the agriculture industry as both an agricultural lender and farmer.
Jeffrey Simon, from Amboy Township, a lifelong farmer who learned his career early from his father, was inducted for his work ethic and desire to serve. Raising corn, wheat, cattle, and hogs, farming was a way of life for Jeff.
Around 150 people attended the ceremony, including past recipients and family and friends of this year’s inductees.