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NEIGHBORS
Seven people inducted into Arizona Ranch Hall of Fame
Courtesy of Integrated Marketing & Public Relations
The Arizona Farm and Ranch Museum held its annual Arizona Farm and Ranch Hall of Fame inductions March 22 at a Chandler event. The late Ernest W. McFarland and six others were inducted into the Hall of Fame. John D. Lewis, far left, one of McFarland’s grandsons, accepted the honor for his late grandfather, who served as governor and in other key government positions.
The Arizona Farm and Ranch Museum held its annual Arizona Farm and Ranch Hall of Fame inductions March 22 at a Chandler event.
The late Ernest W. McFarland and six others were inducted into the Hall of Fame, according to a news release. John D. Lewis, one of McFarland’s grandsons, accepted the honor for his late grandfather, who served as governor and in other key government positions.
The release stated about 450 people from around the state attended the event, held at the Sheraton Grand at Wild Horse Pass in Chandler.
AZFAR inducts farming and ranching individuals, families, and organizations into the each year to showcase and recognize their achievements and dedication to the industry.
McFarland, Arizona's 10th governor, a U.S. senator and Senate majority leader and a state Supreme Court justice, was deeply rooted in farming. He spearheaded water initiatives and what would become the Central Arizona Project, the release states.
McFarland was one of two 2025 inductees honored posthumously. The late Leona Carlyle-Kakar, or “Miss Water Rights,” was a trailblazer in water conservation and farming in the Ak-Chin Indian Community.
Her efforts and leadership secured a solid future for the people in the community, through the passing of the Ak-Chin Indian Water Right Settlement Act in 1984.
The Orme Ranch, located outside of Mayer, is run by Paul Orme and his family. This nearly 100-year-old ranch (founded in 1926) has played a vital role in Arizona’s history, emphasizing conservation and youth development.
The Arizona Cowbelles were founded in 1939 and has been instrumental in promoting Arizona’s beef industry. Eight chapters across the state support youth programs and advocate for the ranching community.
W.T. Gladden is a pioneer in farming and water conservation, the release states. His career spans six decades of cotton, alfalfa, and dairy farming. As president of the Buckeye Water Conservation and Drainage District, his leadership led to the passing of Senate Bill 1081 in June 2024.
The Sierra Bonita Ranch in Graham County is Arizona’s first and oldest continuously operating cattle ranch.
Sixth-generation Jesse Hooker Davis manages this historic property and its contributions to the ranching industry.
Barbara Stevenson Jackson is a lifelong advocate for Arizona agriculture and sustainability. She founded Animal Health Express with her husband, Tim, a Tucson-based company specializing in animal health supplies, tack, and livestock equipment.
AZFAR, a nonprofit based in Buckeye, is governed by a volunteer board of directors representing Arizona's farming and ranching communities. Its mission is to keep Arizona’s agricultural heritage alive through educational events, exhibits, books, a traveling museum and through the annual Hall of Fame celebration.
We invite our readers to submit their civil comments on this topic. Email AZOpinions@iniusa.org.
