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The 2007 Vermont Agricultural Hall of Fame recipients were honored Wednesday during a special luncheon for them and past recipients at the Champlain Valley Fair, home of the Hall of Fame. From left, Vt. Gov. James Douglas, J. Douglas Webb of fairfax, James Gilmore of South Burlington, Margaret and Kermit Richardson of Orange, and Bradley Towne, who accepted the posthumous award for his mother, Ruth Towne of Berlin. Photo by Stephen Mease
The Vermont Farm Bureau inducted five new members into its Agricultural Hall of Fame Wednesday.
A luncheon honored people who have made significant contributions to rural life, from politicians to educators, and of course, long-time farmers. This year's inductees included Kermit and Margaret Richardson of Orange. Between them, the Richardsons have 120 years of service to their local Grange. They say farmers are the backbone of Vermont.
Margaret Richardson explains, "They are a precious breed of people. They are committed to what they do. And they believe in it. They know if it wasn't for a farmer, we wouldn't be eating this meal today."
Dairy farmer J. Douglas Webb of Fairfax was honored for his work with the Franklin County Field Days and the Vermont Maple Festival.
Dr. James Gilmore of South Burlington was thanked for his three decades of teaching in the University of Vermont's department of animal science.
Ruth Towne of Berlin was nominated posthumously by the Washington County Farm Bureau. The legislator was also well-known for breeding and showing Morgan horses.
The Agricultural Hall of Fame is five years old this year.[/b]
Thursday's St. Albans Messenger carried the following story and photo taken by Stephen Mease:
Vermont Agricultural Hall of Fame inducts new members
Fairfax resident among inductees
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ESSEX JUNCTION - The 2007 Vermont Agricultural Hall of Fame winners were honored Wednesday during the 2007 Champlain Valley Fair presented by Progressive, at a special luncheon in the Robert E. Miller Expo Centre.
The Vermont Agriculture Hall of Fame is celebrating its fifth year of honoring Vermonters who have made a significant contribution to farming and agriculture. The Hall of Fame wasL started in 2003 by a committee from the Vermont Farm Bureau, Champlain Valley Exposition Board of Directors and other interest community members.
The focus is on farmers as inductee, with four categories - farmers, government, education and non-government (fairs, farm bureau, etc.) Photographs of past winners can be viewed in the entryway of the Robert E. Miller Expo Centre South at the Exposition. Photos of last year's recipients were unveiled by Lt. Gov. Brian Dubie. The 2006 recipients were Arthur H. Packard, Si:, Robert Carlson, Robert G. Coombs, Jr., Merton Pike and Robert H. Wood. Jr.
This year's Hall of Fame induction ceremonies and luncheon was hosted by the Exposition and sponsored by Sentinel Investments of Montpelier Vt. Gov. James H. Douglas was on hand to make the presentation of a framed print of a Champlain Valley farm by artist Deborah Holmes to the new members and or then- family.
The 2007 honorees are: J. Douglas "Doug" Webb of Fairfax, Kermit and Margaret Richardson of Orange, Dr. James Gilmore of South Burlington, and Ruth Towne of Berlin.
Webb was honored during the 2007 Legislative session with a Concurrent Resolution for his life of community service. Serving as a selectboard member and Justice of the Peace for his town, he has also found time to work with the Franklin County Field Days Board for more than 30 years and the Vermont Maple Festival Committee for 37 years. He owns and operates with his sons the 600-acres Maplewood Dairy Farm with 300 registered Holsteins. A good-sized maple sugaring operation is included in that enterprise. He has worked in a variety of dairy associations, including Milk Promotion Services and the Milton Dairy Co-op Board. He received the Vermont League of Cities and Towns' Lifetime Achievement Award in 2005 and has also been inducted into the Secretary of State's Town Officials Hall of Fame.
His daughter. Linda Willmott, writes in her nomination; "I am very proud of all my Dad has done over the years and it has served as an inspiration for me to be involved in my own community."
To view the award he received from the 2007 Legislative session click on the following link:
http://www.vtgrandpa.com/forum/index.php?topic=1377.0
For more Information about the Vermont Agricultural Hall of Fame or to make nominations for the 2008 event, please call the Vermont Farm Bureau office at 802-434-5646.[/b]
I have added a nice color photo taken by Stephen Mease instead of the scan from the Messenger, plus here are a couple more that Stephen Mease took at the induction
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