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SIX SELECTED FOR ENSHRINEMENT INTO THE WEST VIRGINIA AGRICULTURE AND FORESTRY HALL OF FAME
WESTON, W.Va – Six individuals who have made outstanding contributions to agriculture and forestry in West Virginia will be honored with enshrinement into the West Virginia Agriculture and Forestry Hall of Fame. This year’s enshrinees are Steve Hannah, the late Theodore L. Harriman, E. Keith Inskeep, Edward C. Murriner, Charles Richard Sypolt and Donald G. Wood.
The group will be honored at the Hall of Fame’s annual banquet Saturday, July 7, at WVU Jackson’s Mill in Weston, W.Va. The event begins with a reception at 5 p.m. in the Agriculture and Forestry Hall of Fame Building, followed at 6 p.m. by the banquet in the Mount Vernon Dining Hall. The event is open to the public.
Enshrinement in the West Virginia Agriculture and Forestry Hall of Fame is reserved for those individuals, businesses, organizations, institutions and foundations that have made outstanding contributions to the establishment, development, advancement and improvement of the agricultural, forestry and family life of West Virginia.
Steve Hannah, of Jane Lew, W.Va., is widely recognized as a leader in West Virginia agriculture. From his early experience in 4-H to his current position as Deputy Commissioner of the West Virginia Department of Agriculture, Mr. Hannah has exhibited a passion for agriculture and forestry issues. He was born and raised in Harrison County. He served as Camp Manager of Jackson’s Mill State 4-H Camp before being selected as Executive Secretary for the West Virginia Farm Bureau. While there, he represented the interests of state farmers and landowners on state and federal issues for 24 years. Mr. Hannah is currently Deputy Commissioner of Agriculture where he provides leadership on a wide variety of agricultural issues.
Theodore L. Harriman, formerly of Flemington, W.Va., served the forest industry for 19 years. He served in various professional forestry positions for Georgia-Pacific, Columbia Forest Products and Weyerhaeuser Corporation. Mr. Harriman served on the West Virginia Forestry Association Board of Directors and devoted many hours to the Association’s Logger Safety Initiative. He also worked to advance the mission of the West Virginia Forest Industries Camp and was deeply involved in the development of the “Log-a-Load for Kids” program. Portions of both of these activities have been renamed in honor of Mr. Harriman’s memory.
E. Keith Inskeep, of Morgantown, W.Va., is a world-renown researcher in reproductive physiology. After completing his formal education at Potomac State College, West Virginia University and the University of Wisconsin, he began his lifelong work as a researcher and educator at the University of Wisconsin in 1959 and moved on to West Virginia University in 1964. There he has built an impressive body of work in his selected field. His research is often referred to a “cutting-edge” and “easily applied” to the needs of West Virginia farmers. Mr. Inskeep has been the recipient of numerous awards and honors for his body of work over the years.
Edward C. Murriner, of Hurricane, W.Va., has had a 38-year career with the West Virginia Division of Forestry, serving in many positions from Service Forester to Assistant State Forester. He worked diligently to promote the Forest Products Utilization program throughout the State. Mr. Murriner has worked extensively with the development of the logging safety programs during his career. He retired form the Division of Forestry in 2006 and started his own company, Cahojo Consulting, which focuses on economic development and safety assistance for the wood products industry.
Charles Richard Sypolt, of Glenville, W.Va., has served on the faculty of Glenville State College for 34 years where his goal has been to provide instruction to prepare the most highly skilled forestry and land surveying graduates. Mr. Sybolt has been honored as Land Surveyor of the Year by the West Virginia Association of Land Surveyors. The Sypolts operate a farm in Gilmer County.
Donald G. Wood, of Beverly, W.Va., has maintained a life-long dedication to the advancement of agriculture and youth development. Mr. Wood’s career included 22 years as District Director with the USDA-ASCS (now Farm Service Agency). On his farm he produced strawberries, sweet corn and Murray Grey cattle. Mr. Wood served as a leader in many farm and community organizations and has received many accolades throughout his career.
Tickets are $30.00 and can be purchased by calling any of the following:
- Brenda Aldridge, WVU Extension, (304) 293-5691
- Sherry Barnette, West Virginia Forestry Association, (304) 372-1955
- Randy Dye, West Virginia Division of Forestry, (304) 558-2788
- Robin Gothard, West Virginia Department of Agriculture, (304) 558-3200
- LeVera Gillum, West Virginia Farm Bureau, (304) 472-2080
- Denise Hunnell, WVU Davis College, (304) 293-2395
Tickets must be purchased by June 29.
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The West Virginia Department of Agriculture protects plant, animal and human health through a variety of scientific, regulatory and consumer protection programs, as mandated by state law. The Commissioner of Agriculture is one of six statewide elected officials in West Virginia. Currently, Commissioner Gus R. Douglass is the longest-serving agriculture commissioner in the nation. For more information, visit www.wvagriculture.org.
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