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.
Longtime Extension Specialist and Professor Arlie Powell, Holmestead Farms owner Charles Holmes and Sumblin Farms owner Andy Sumblin were inducted into the Alabama Agriculture Hall of Honor Feb. 20, 2026.
row2
Donation Information
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”.
Event Information
2027 Hall of Honor Banquet
February 12, 2027 - AU Hotel & Conference Center
2027 Hall of Honor Inductees
Agribusiness: Randall Ennis
Education/Government: Harry Ponder
Biography coming soon.
Production: Shep Morris
Biography coming soon.
2027 Pioneer Award Recipients
William (Bill) Arrington
John Herman Hickman
A History of Honor
Beginnings
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 Inductees
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.
Addition of Pioneers
In May 1995, the Agricultural Pioneer Award was established to posthumously recognize individuals whose lives and work impacted the industry.
