released 6-4-09

Three Farm Bureau members inducted by West Virginia Ag and Forestry Hall of Fame

Six individuals will be inducted into the West Virginia Ag and Forestry Hall of Fame (WVAFHF) for 2009, including three members of the West Virginia Farm Bureau. This honor is bestowed only on those who have lived in West Virginia, had a long tenured association with agriculture, forestry and family life, have made outstanding, direct contributions to those industries and demonstrated the highest standards of leadership and contribution on a local, state, national and international level.

Farm Bureau members Dr. Barton S. Baker, Bayward Butler, and Edward C. Grose are among the 2009 inductees. Gerald William Waybright, James Ernest Deitz and Harry J. Gordon were also honored.

Dr. Barton S. Baker of Morgantown, W.Va., dedicated his career to the promotion and enhancement of West Virginia agriculture. His contributions to the industry include being a beef producer, teacher and researcher, as well as many service/outreach efforts through the West Virginia University (WVU) Davis College of Agriculture, Forestry and Consumer Sciences and WVU Cooperative Extension Service.    

Dr. Baker has been an invaluable educational and service resource to West Virginia producers, commodity groups and youth organizations throughout his tenure at WVU. He has published over 40 manuscripts and has made a significant contribution to West Virginia agriculture through his teaching and research programs in the education and training of undergraduate and graduate students, many of whom continue to serve West Virginia agriculture through extension and other state agencies and industry organizations.

Bayward Butler of Exchange, W.Va., has devoted his life to family, farming, education and community service. Upon his retirement in 1980 from public school teaching, Mr. Butler accepted new challenges and responsibilities to promote and advance the management of agriculture and other natural resources in Central West Virginia.

As Braxton County Farm Bureau president, Butler has promoted agriculture and natural resources conservation throughout West Virginia. As Elk Soil Conservation District supervisor he has encouraged improved management of all natural resources through active leadership of committees dealing with forestry, education and water quality. His work with the Elk Soil Conservation Council is just one example of his continuing efforts to improve the quality of life for area residents.

Edward C. Grose of Terra Alta, W.Va., turned his 232 acres into 487 acres of a continued “practical research” institution named Montcroft Farms. A few cattle and a few acres of potatoes in the beginning became a manageable-size registered Angus herd and 15-plus acres of certified seed potatoes. His farming practices have served as models for others.
He was instrumental in the development of agricultural marketing strategies and in the creation of the W.Va. Direct Marketing Association. A leader in the potato industry, he took his expertise nationally, representing West Virginia on the National Potato Board. Together with many WVU researchers, he performed countless potato trials and his research initiatives have given him access to many northeast potato researchers, allowing him to learn the skills required to become a certified seed potato stock grower. This has helped many West Virginia producers who now have a source of reliable seed to plant.

The WVAFHF Enshrinement Banquet will be held Saturday, July 18, at Jackson’s Mill. A reception begins at 5 p.m. at the Hall of Fame building, followed by dinner at 6 p.m. in the dining hall. Tickets are $30 each and can be purchased from Brenda Aldridge, WVU Extension Service, 304-293-5691; Sherry Barnette, W.Va. Forestry Association, 304-372-1955; Patsy Carpenter, W.Va. Division of Forestry, 304-558-2788 or 304-558-3446; LeVera Gillum, WV Farm Bureau, 304-472-2080,ext. 302; Denise Hunnell, WVU Davis College, 304-293-2395; or Robin Gothard, WVDA, 304-558-3200, ext.1320.