Alabama Agriculture
Hall of Honor
2025 Hall of Honor Inductees: Galen Grace, John Henderson and Bill Kyser.
The Alabama Agriculture Hall of Honor was established in 1984 to recognize and celebrate the work of some of our state’s top agricultural leaders. Three individuals are added to the Hall of Honor each year by vote from the Auburn University Agricultural Alumni Association.
The program also presents the annual Pioneer Award posthumously for individuals whose careers advanced Alabama agriculture in significant ways.
If you would like to make a gift in honor or memory, please visit the link below. Use the search bar to find and select “Agriculture, Greatest Need”.
2026 HALL OF HONOR BANQUET
FEBRUARY 20, 2026
AU HOTEL & CONFERENCE CENTER
2026 HALL OF HONOR INDUCTEES
AGRIBUSINESS: Martin Anthony “Andy” Sumblin
Martin Anthony “Andy” Sumblin is a unique agricultural leader, uniting agriculturalists from all walks of life behind a mission to advance the industry in Alabama.
Sumblin graduated from the College of Agriculture at Auburn University in 1970 with a degree in agriculture economics. After serving in the National Guard of Samson, Alabama, Sumblin served in the Montgomery National Guard where he started his career with Production Credit. Sumblin then joined Helena Chemical Company in Florida selling crop inputs before returning to his hometown of Kinston, Alabama, in 1980. Since then, he has served more than 40 years with Nutrien Ag Solutions, a leading global crop solutions provider, and its predecessor companies.
Sumblin has been a cornerstone of Nutrien Ag Solutions during his tenure with the company, managing facilities with excellence and mentoring countless industry professionals. Additionally, his vision and leadership were central to the founding of Covington Gin Company and Andalusia Peanut, both of which became vital assets to local growers.
Sumblin is also a dedicated farmer, owning and operating Sumblin Farms in Coffee, Covington, and Geneva County, Alabama, and Walton County, Florida, where he grows cotton, peanuts, soybeans, corn, and sod and manages a successful cattle operation.
Throughout Sumblin’s lifelong career in agriculture, he has exemplified leadership, innovation, education, and service. He has strongly advocated for Alabama agriculture and consistently demonstrated a commitment to advancing agricultural practices, supporting producers, and mentoring the next generation of agricultural professionals.
He has a deep understanding of the agricultural landscape throughout the Southeast but particularly in Alabama, and an unwavering devotion to the people who work in it. He is respected by farmers, educators, researchers, and policymakers — an uncommon distinction that speaks volumes about his character and knowledge.
Furthermore, Sumblin’s passion for Auburn’s College of Agriculture has had a significant impact. He has actively recruited and supported countless graduates, ensuring the continued vitality of the field. His career, character, and service truly embody the spirit and values of Auburn University.
Beyond business, Sumblin’s commitment to his community and family stands as an inspiration. He and his wife, Anne, are proud parents of three Auburn graduates (Paige, Megan, and Maggie) and loving grandparents to six grandchildren.
EDUCATION/GOVERNMENT: Arlie Powell
Dr. Arlie Powell is a longtime horticulturalist and leader in agricultural education who acquired a deep knowledge in the field from a long career as an extension specialist and professor.
Powell earned his Ph.D. in horticulture from the University of Florida in 1968. He began his career as an extension fruit specialist in Florida and Georgia, before joining the Department of Horticulture faculty at Auburn University in 1978.
The author of over 300 works including a definitive book on Georgia citrus, Powell is an effective communicator with a vast knowledge in fruit crops.
His method of growing blackberries — which involves cane selection and trellising to reduce disease exposure, optimize growing conditions and facilitate easier harvesting — has long been considering pioneering, He is a sought-after speaker by grower groups both in the region and around the world. His hard work and dedication to applied research, demonstrations and educational programs has left a lasting impact on fruit crop production in Alabama and neighboring Southern states.
Powell is also known for providing coordination and utilization of agricultural weather information to establish the Alabama Agricultural Weather Program, which benefits tree fruit and small fruit producers and agents throughout the state. He was also formative in the creation of the Chilton Research and Extension Center.
Powell founded the Jemison, Alabama, nursery Petals from the Past with his son, Jason, who now co-owns the business with his wife, Shelley. Petals from the Past specializes in antique roses, heirloom shrubs, fruit trees and hard-to-find perennials. The nursery propagates its own heirloom plants on site.
Since opening 20 years ago, Petals from the Past’s goal has been to approach gardening from an educational standpoint. The nursery strives to achieve that goal through two efforts: by maintaining display gardens for outdoor classrooms and by hosting monthly educational programs.
He is known for tireless devotion to promoting horticulture, as evidenced by his active participation in professional associations and his applied research and demonstrations for blueberry, peach and strawberry growers throughout the South.
PRODUCTION: Charles A. Holmes
Charles A. Holmes was born September 17, 1951, in Demopolis, Alabama, in Marengo County. Known for his commitment to conservation, Holmes is owner of Holmestead Farms, a six-generation family farm that was homesteaded in 1819 by his great-great-grandfather, William Moore.
The family farm — one of the oldest continuous working family farms in Alabama — is on the National Register of Historic Places and operates in part as a teaching property. It is certified as a “Century and Heritage Farm” by the Alabama Department of Agriculture and Industries. It is on this farm that Holmes emerged as a leader in production agriculture through his example of conservation practices applied on his farm.
The farm has changed through time from cropland, dairy, cattle and forestry to now mostly forestry and agritourism. In each iteration, Holmes has been committed to conserving the natural resources that are within his stewardship. The farm’s first conservation plan was written in 1937 and has been updated several times as new conservation technology and information became available. Holmes currently manages the farm for timber, wildlife and education, and it has also received designations such as a Treasure Forest, Tree Farm and Stewardship Forest, indicative of his planning and implementation of forestry practices.
He is known for his dedication to West Alabama, particularly Perry County. The farm introduces students to forestry and wildlife practices through events like “Classroom in the Forest,” which is offered to all fifth graders in Perry County. Additionally, he serves the Perry County Soil and Water Conservation District, is active with Perry County Cattleman’s Association, Perry County Farmers Federation, Perry County Historical and Preservation Society, is a founder of the Perry County Chamber of Commerce, and is vice-chair of the Alabama-Tombigbee Resource Conservation and Development Council.
On a statewide level, Holmes is a past president of the Alabama Association of Conservation Districts, current chairman of the Alabama Soil and Water Conservation Committee, a member of the Alabama Agriculture and Conservation Development Commission, and a board member of Alabama Treasure Forest Association. He served for 28 years as a director on the National Association of Conservation Districts Board, and he was chairman of the National Association of Conservation Districts’ forestry committee for 16 years.
Holmes is the recipient of numerous awards and recognitions, including the Environmental Stewardship Award for the Southeast presented by the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association; the USDA Earth Team Award; the prestigious Helene Mosley Memorial Treasure Forest Award; the Alabama Wildlife Federation’s Conservationist of the Year; the National Conservation District Board Member Award; and the Hugh Hammond Bennett Excellence in Conservation Award from the National Conservation Planning Partnership. He has been recognized for Outstanding Service and Dedication to the NACD Board of Directors, Alabama Association of Conservation Districts, Southeast Region of NACD, the National Resources Policy Committee and the Forestry Resource Policy Group by The National Association of Conservation Districts.
He is married to Virginia (Jenny) Cooper, and they have three sons, William, Webb, and Cooper.
2026 PIONEER AWARD RECIPIENTS
Families of these Pioneer Award recipients will be recognized
Clifton Cox
Dr. Clifton Cox is remembered for significant contributions to the food industry in the United States and to creating opportunities for Auburn alumni in agriculture.
Clifton was born March 28, 1916, in Alabama and was one of 11 children on a poor family farm in Southeastern Alabama. Clifton put himself through college and earned a Bachelor of Science and Master of Science in agricultural economics from Alabama Polytechnic Institute, now known as Auburn University. Prior to earning his master’s degree, he worked for the Farmers Home Administration. In 1950, he earned a Ph.D. from Purdue University, where he served on the agricultural economics faculty until 1960. He served as major professor and mentor to numerous doctoral candidates who went on to make significant contributions to American agriculture.
Clifton’s son John adds this anecdote. On a sabbatical from Purdue, Clifton was a visiting professor at Harvard University. He researched and wrote a book on the cotton industry, in addition to presenting lectures. At the end of his planned stay, Harvard offered Clifton a faculty position. Clifton turned down this offer to this prestigious university, because his wife and two daughters were very unhappy dur this relocation. The time period at Harvard explains why John was born in Framingham, Massachusetts and not in Indiana.
He left education in 1960 to begin a career in the food division of Armour and Co., which became a division of Greyhound Corporation. In 1967, Clifton took over the Armour’s food division. During his 20 years with the company, he served as chairman of Armour & Co. and vice chairman of The Greyhound Corporation. After his retirement from Greyhound in 1981, he returned to higher education and joined the Thunderbird School of Global Management as head of its world business department. Clifton later became their vice president of academic affairs through 1989.
He was the recipient of honorary degrees from three universities, including Auburn. In 1982, during Ronald Reagan’s presidency, Clifton was appointed to the President’s Cost Control project as project manager for the Agricultural Task Force.
He also continued to provide insight and business acumen at Auburn, serving on advisory boards for the College of Agriculture and School of Human Sciences. While with Armour, he created an industrial fellowship that allowed students to experience and learn the industry first-hand. He hired or was responsible for the hiring of a number of Auburn graduates and provided countless opportunities for hands-on training in the industry. He is remembered for his significant support of creating opportunities for young people in agriculture.
He was listed in a number of publications, including “Who’s Who in America,” “Finance and Industry,” “Community Leaders in America” and “American Men of Science.”
He was married to his wife from Montgomery, Helen, for 64 years and had three children.
Gordon Patterson
Dr. Gordon Patterson is remembered by many for having a fruitful impact on the education of nearly every agriscience instructor in the state of Alabama during his time at Auburn University.
Born to Mary Hugh McGee Patterson and James Wilburn Patterson on December 9, 1938, in Guntersville, Alabama, Patterson earned his Bachelor of Science and Master of Science from Auburn University, before earning a Ph.D. from the University of Maryland. He began his career with the U.S. Army and was stationed in Germany before he returned to Alabama to teach agriscience at Auburn University for 45 years.
He made countless contributions in his field and was editor and co-editor of numerous publications. Patterson was inducted into Alabama FFA Hall of Fame in 2004 and awarded the Honorary National FFA Degree in 2006.
Patterson was an integral part of the Agriscience Teacher Education Program at Auburn for more than 30 years. He served as advisor to the Auburn Collegiate FFA chapter and facilitated many Alabama State FFA Conventions. He retired from Auburn in 2016.
Known as “Doc” to his students, he is remembered for his willingness to mentor and advise, and for his encouragement of careers in agriculture that would mold and shape the industry throughout the state.
Patterson passed away Sept. 26, 2021 and was survived by his wife of nearly 60 years, Christa Rosalinde Rink Patterson, two sons, two granddaughters and one great-grandson.
HISTORY
In December 1984, the AU Agricultural Alumni Association approved a resolution to establish the Alabama Agriculture Hall of Honor with a sole purpose to bestow honor and recognition upon living Alabamians who have made significant contributions to the state’s agricultural industry.
The initial inductees consisted of three members, with not more than three new members to be added each year. In later years, the selection process evolved to identify individuals from three primary sectors of the industry–agribusiness, production and education/government.
In May 1995, the Agricultural Pioneer Award was established to posthumously recognize individuals whose lives and work impacted the industry.
Each year, in conjunction with the association’s annual meeting, a banquet is held to honor that year’s recipients and their families. Comer Hall is home to a permanent exhibit that is open to the public that showcases the recipients of the Hall of Honor and Pioneer awards.
Hall of Honor
Nominations
Hall of Honor Inductees
Pioneer Award Honorees
Development Office
Contact
Brad Smith
southernfarmtech@gmail.com
334-505-6268