Farm Credit Colorado Agriculture Hall of Fame 2017 Inductees

The Colorado FFA Foundation has announced four inductees into the Farm Credit Colorado Agriculture Hall of Fame. Mr. Charlie Bartlett (posthumous), Merino, Mr. Bill Markham, Berthoud, Dr. Dale McCall, Longmont, and Mr. Bill Webster, of Greeley, will all be formally inducted into the Farm Credit Colorado Agriculture Hall of Fame in February 2017 at the annual Hall of Fame Banquet. In addition Mr. Marc Arnusch, from Keenesburg will be recognized as the Rising Star in Colorado Agriculture.

The Farm Credit Colorado Agriculture Hall of Fame banquet is held in conjunction with the Governor’s Forum on Colorado Agriculture. The four inductees will be honored during the Banquet, Feb. 22, 2017, at the Renaissance Hotel, Denver. The honorees will join 89 other outstanding Colorado agriculturists who have been honored since 1989.

HALL OF FAME HONOREES

Mr. Bill Webster

Mr. Bill Webster, Greeley, made many contributions to agriculture that revolutionized the cattle industry from new feeding techniques, to implementing new computer technology while owning and operating Webster Land and Cattle. His desire to create efficiencies and improvements within the livestock industry made him well known and very well respected. He also worked diligently to strengthen his community and the State of Colorado. He was a founder of the Boys and Girls Club of Weld County, County Commissioner, State Representative and was active in many agriculture related and community development organizations like National Cattleman’s Beef Association, United Way of Weld County, and Aims Community College Agriculture Advisory Board.

Dr. Dale McCall

Dr. Dale McCall, Longmont, has been involved in production agriculture on the family farm in Yuma for decades. He has also had a very successful career in agricultural education as a teacher, FFA Advisor, State FFA Advisor/Executive Secretary, local school Superintendent, and Community College administrator. He has spent a career working to sustain the viability of rural schools through legislative work and advocacy serving many different roles including the executive director of the BOCES association in Colorado to most recently being elected as the President of Rocky Mountain Farmers Union. Under Dale’s leadership the Colorado FFA Foundation completed it’s first ever-capital campaign constructing the CoBank Center for Agricultural Education to enhance teacher preparation at Colorado State University.

Mr. Bill Markham

Mr. Bill Markham, Berthoud, is a third generation farmer and rancher that have a reputation for raising high quality cattle, sugar beets, corn and most notably Coors barley. It has been said that he works the sacred soil with his hands, heart, head, and soul. Bill was instrumental in agricultural education being revitalized in the Thompson Valley School District and is extremely supportive of youth in agriculture. He has been active on many agricultural initiatives all with the intent of educating the public about the importance of agriculture. He is a true ambassador for agriculture being a great friend, neighbor, and businessman always operating from a position of honesty, integrity, and honorable work ethic.

Mr. Charlie Bartlett

Mr. Charlie Bartlett (posthumous), Merino, spent a lifetime farming the family farm with a special interest in using and protecting our water in the most efficient ways possible. He was a pioneer in farming practices in his area and always willing to share and teach others. He dedicated much of his time to others serving the Colorado Corn Administrative Committee, co-authoring the Colorado Water Plan, serving on the school board, the South Platte Ditch Company and was a co-founder of a bank developed with a strong interest in agriculture. He will forever be known as warm friend with a contagious smile that always served other. His greatest attribute was his ability to pull people together for the betterment of their community.

RISING STAR IN COLORADO AGRICULTURE

Mr. Marc Arnusch is a farmer, certified crop advisor, water and land use consultant from Keenesburg who has become a public voice for agriculture in Colorado. He has established himself as a reputable and articulate voice for agriculture on state and Federal platforms including appearing in television commercials, speaking at various town halls and forums, and testifying for favorable agricultural policy at the state legislature and in Washington, DC. He has utilized these opportunities to educate legislators and consumers on issues facing the industry.

The Colorado FFA Foundation is a non-profit organization that raises funds to support the more than 6,500 FFA members in Colorado’s 105 chapters. FFA is a national organization of 610,240 members preparing for leadership and careers in the science, business and technology of agriculture.