Arizona Historymakers selections include Ronald Rayner
(Photo provided by Historical League, Inc.)
Ronald “Ron” Rayner was recognized with six other leaders and a couple as a Prestigious Arizona Historymaker on Feb 19.
Ronald Rayner was honored as one of the Historical League’s Inc., chosen Arizona Historymakers of 2025 at the Arizona Heritage Center’s announcing celebration in Tempe.
More than 100 guests were introduced to the new Historymakers’ accomplishments, and contributions in the world of agriculture, medicine and community outreach.
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Arizona Historymakers selections include Ronald Rayner
(Photo provided by Historical League, Inc.)
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BIO
He pioneered arid land double crop and no-till crop management practices that use less water, require fewer pesticides, reduce fuel use, reduce dust and increase soil health. When his father died in 1968, Ron and his brothers Earle and Robert took over the family farm and built it into a diversified operation that includes cotton, wheat, alfalfa and sorghum. Rayner’s community involvement includes founding chairman of Electrical District No. 8, former board member of the Central Arizona Project and several other local and state water organizations, past chairman of the National Cotton Council, and member of the Agua Fria High School District Board for 27 years.
Ronald “Ron” Rayner was recognized with six other leaders and a couple as a Prestigious Arizona Historymaker on Feb 19.
Ronald Rayner was honored as one of the Historical League’s Inc., chosen Arizona Historymakers of 2025 at the Arizona Heritage Center’s announcing celebration in Tempe.
More than 100 guests were introduced to the new Historymakers’ accomplishments, and contributions in the world of agriculture, medicine and community outreach.
In presenting Rayner, Historical League’s Committee Co-Chairman Diane Smith highlighted him as a nationally recognized pioneer leader in the agricultural world by creating arid land double crop and no-till crop management practices with the result of less water, fewer pesticides, reduced fuel use, dust and increased soil health.
In addition, Rayner has been involved with several community activities. He served as a former board member of CAP, past chairman of the National Cotton Council, and founding chairman of Electrical District No. 8.
Along with Rayner the 2025 Historymakers included Bob Boze Bell, Diana “Dede” Yazzie Devine, John W. Graham, Sharon Harper and Oliver Harper, M.D, Sister Adele O’Sullivan CSJ, M.D., Eric Reiman M.D., and David Wooten M.D.
Also recognized during the evening were past Arizona Historymakers Elizabeth White, Honorable Jim Bruner, Stevie Eller, Merrill Mahaffey, and Harry and Rose Papp.
The night celebrated Arizona’s statehood and a tribute to White on her 102nd birthday.
The Arizona Historymakers’ program created in 1992 by the Historical League Inc., awards Arizona individuals, who have distinguished themselves with noted achievements and have maintained their ties to Arizona.
To date more than 90 Historymakers have been honored over the years at celebration events, and inclusion in the Historymakers Hall exhibit at the Arizona Heritage Center. Their videos, oral histories and transcripts are uploaded to the League’s website, YouTube, and preserved in the library and archives of Arizona Historical Society’s Heritage Center at Papago Park.
The Historymaker committee is presenting Turquoise & Treasures, a celebration evening on Oct. 25 to honor and share how the 2025 Arizona Historymakers have contributed to Arizona and the nation.
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