The first inductees to the newly created Missouri Agricultural Hall of Fame were honored on April 9 during a ceremony at the Capital Bluffs Event Center in Jefferson City. The inaugural recipients included William H. Darr, Jay Fischer, Blake and Julie Hurst, Charlie Kruse, and Forrest and Charlotte Lucas.
Governor Mike Parson met with the honorees during a private reception at the Missouri Governor’s Mansion before addressing the 425 industry leaders gathered for the induction ceremony.
“Agriculture is the heart and soul of Missouri, and the recipients of this award truly deserve the honor,” Governor Parson said. “To be able to recognize them and be part of this first-ever Hall of Fame makes me so proud of our state and proud to be your governor.”
The Missouri Agricultural Hall of Fame was created in 2023 to recognize farmers, ranchers, and agribusiness leaders who have made outstanding contributions to Missouri agriculture. Inductees are selected by a committee and honored annually.
Missouri Agricultural Hall of Fame inductees received an exclusive award created by Missouri artist Clay Gant, who operates “Cowboy Bronze” in Cross Timbers. The custom sculpture represents the power and diversity of Missouri’s agricultural landscape and features a beef bull, wheat, and corn.
MFA Incorporated and MFA Oil are presenting sponsors of the Agricultural Hall of Fame, which is also supported by the Missouri State Fair Foundation’s 1901 Society. The Society, named in homage to the first Missouri State Fair held in September 1901, was established in 2023 to recognize lifetime giving to the foundation. Other key sponsors of the Hall of Fame include Missouri Electric Cooperatives, Dairy Farmers of America, Allstate Consultants, ADM, Nabholz & Kinetic, and Central Missouri AGRIService.
“The Missouri State Fair Foundation is pleased to congratulate the inaugural class of the Missouri Agricultural Hall of Fame,” said Karri Wilson, Missouri State Fair Foundation executive director. “This is just the start of what we hope will become a lasting tradition of honoring the men and women who make up the fabric of agriculture here in the great state of Missouri. We are grateful for the tremendous level of support for this first event, and we are looking forward to the future of the Ag Hall of Fame program.”
2024 Missouri Agricultural Hall of Fame Inductees:
William H. Darr — The wide-ranging contributions of William “Bill” and Virginia Darr to Missouri agriculture include business, academics, and philanthropy. Bill had a lifelong career as a successful agribusinessman, and he and Virginia were dedicated to improving the quality of life in communities throughout Southeast Missouri, including Ellsinore and Cape Girardeau. Bill provided countless hours of service and personal efforts to sustain family farm operations and agribusiness productivity. He was a leader in the seed, ag chemical, pharmaceutical, and pet food industries and owned an agricultural aviation business and truck line. The Darrs have been honored by Southeast Missouri State University for their support of its agriculture programs and were instrumental in the expansion and development of the Darr Agricultural Center at Missouri State University. The Darrs also established a scholarship program to recognize students for exceptional academic excellence.
Jay Fischer — Jay Fischer has farmed for more than 30 years, growing corn, soybeans, wheat, alfalfa, pumpkins, and watermelons in Jefferson City. He, his wife, Kim, and daughter, Jena, also operate an agritourism business, welcoming more than 20,000 visitors to their corn maze and pumpkin patch each fall. Jay works on behalf of the state’s corn farmers, having served as the Missouri Corn Growers Association president and vice president and Missouri Corn Merchandising Council vice chairman and secretary. He currently serves as an ex-officio MCGA board member through his role on the board of directors for the U.S. Grains Council, a partner of Missouri Corn, focused on strengthening and building corn and ethanol markets around the globe. Fischer is active within his community and serves as president of the Capital View Levee District. The family was also recognized with the Governor’s Award for Agriculture in 2011.
Blake & Julie Hurst — Blake and Julie Hurst started farming in 1977 on a rented farm near Tarkio. Since then, they’ve produced three children and six grandchildren, added a greenhouse business, and grown 44 crops of corn and soybeans. The Hursts have both been active in farm policy. Julie was chairman of the state Farm Service Agency committee, and Blake served for 10 years as president of the Missouri Farm Bureau. While at the Farm Bureau, Blake helped the organization successfully lobby for farmers across the state and grow in financial strength. Blake also served for 10 years on the American Farm Bureau board. Julie accompanied him during those years, supporting the Farm Bureau at hundreds of meetings and events. Blake has also written articles on farm policy for numerous national publications and continues to write today, as his muse and time allow. The Hursts are still farming, growing flowers, watching their grandchildren participate in sports, and traveling together.
Charlie Kruse — Dexter native Charles “Charlie” Kruse has a distinguished legacy of service to Missouri agriculture. A graduate of Dexter High School, he received a bachelor’s degree in agronomy from Arkansas State University in 1967 and a master’s degree in plant genetics from the University of Missouri in 1974. He earned the rank of Eagle Scout at age 14, and in 2003 was named a Distinguished Eagle Scout by the Boy Scouts of America organization. He spent 26 years in the National Guard, retiring with the rank of brigadier general. He served on the MU Board of Curators, as Missouri director of agriculture, and as president of the Missouri Farm Bureau from 1992 to 2010. He also served on the board and executive committee for the American Farm Bureau and received its highest honor, the Distinguished Service to Agriculture Award, in 2012. He and his wife, Pam, farmed for 38 years, retiring in 2014. They raised two sons, Ben, who died in an ATV accident at age 28, and Scott, principal of Dexter Middle School. Scott and his wife, Kerri, have two daughters, Addie and Andie.
Forrest & Charlotte Lucas — Forrest and Charlotte Lucas are leaving an enduring legacy for the agricultural industry and communities they serve. Through Protect The Harvest and Lucas Cattle Company, the Lucases have demonstrated what it means to champion causes that protect and nurture American agriculture and rural life. Founded in 2011, Protect The Harvest is a nonprofit dedicated to supporting farmers, ranchers, outdoor enthusiasts, and animal owners. The organization continues to achieve important milestones in its mission to ensure “A Free and Fed America.” Located in Cross Timbers, Mo., Lucas Cattle Company spans more than 16,000 acres and is home to the nation’s largest registered Simmental cattle herd and a breeding program for elite cutting horses. In partnership with the Missouri Farmers Care Foundation, Forrest and Charlotte have also dedicated themselves to fighting food insecurity in the state through the Hogs for Hunger initiative and the annual Drive to Feed Kids.
