James ‘Jim’ Henness

Casa Grande - Pinal County

Inducted in 2014

The Henness Family, deeply rooted in Pima County's agriculture history since the 1920s, has passed down their love for the land through generations, fostering a strong sense of connection and continuity in the community. 

Jim and Janet Henness's lives have been a team effort since they married in 1958, the year before Jim graduated from the University of Arizona. Both came from pioneering agricultural families in the Casa Grande Valley. They had known each other since childhood but became college sweethearts and married while still in school.

Jim's dad, KK Henness, arrived in the Casa Grande area in the 1920s. A graduate of the University of Arizona, he became the first Cooperative Extension agent in Pinal County. KK purchased a farm on the old Tucson Highway where the Casa Grande outlets once were. 

In 1952, during the Truman administration, KK took a job as the extension agent in Bolivia. "He went to La Paz, Bolivia, and created an extension program for the community," Jim said. Although Jim was only in Bolivia for a year and a half of his father's six years, he could travel freely.  "I learned Spanish and traveled a lot," he said. "My parents let me travel down there to do things. I don't think I could have let my kids do it." He came home with an education he couldn't get in any classroom.

Some 25 years later, the Bolivian ambassador showed up on his dad's porch and presented him with an award. They tried to present it to him before he left Bolivia, but it was an award for an ambassador- the level of people. It took time to work out the details. Jim still had the bolo tied with a gold disk.

Janet's grandfather, Joseph Collerette, homesteaded a farm south of Casa Grande on Eleven Mile Corner Road in 1919. Janet grew up in the house she and Jim have occupied since 1969.

Jim Hennis was born in 1936, grew up, and went to school in Casa Grande like most young people interested in agriculture. He was active in the 4H and FFA. At his father's urging, he attended the University of Arizona and graduated with a bachelor's degree in agricultural economics in 1959.

While still in college, Jim leased 20 acres of land from his father and planted his first cotton crop. Over the years, the 20 acres grew to 2000 in the Casa Grande area, and he worked his grandparents' land in the Tempe area for ten years. His primary crop was cotton, but they also grew wheat, barley, and alfalfa.

Jim, Janice, and family

Jim is interested in the public sector, specifically soil and water conservation. He has been a supervisor in the West Pinal district for 50 years. My dad was one of the first champions of the CAP (Central Arizona Project), and he recognized early on the importance of conserving water and soil, he said.

Jim served on the Arizona Power Committee for about 20 years and met people in that arena that he never would have otherwise. He shepherded Arizona's entitlements to hydroelectric power from Hoover Dam.

Jim and Janet had three children. Their oldest son, Jack, does most of the work on the farm now.

Affiliations

West Pinal Natural Resources Conservation District — Director, 50 years and Chairman, 15 years

San Carlos Irrigation and Drainage District — Director

Agri-Business Council — Vice President

Casa Grande Elementary School Board — 9 years

Western Farm Credit Bank — Chairman (1989)

Farm Credit Bank of Sacramento — (1987-1990)

Federal Land Bank of Arizona — Director

Federal Land Bank Association — Chairman, 3 years; Stockholder, Steering Committee (Sacramento District)

Governor’s Pinal 6 Committee

State 208 Environmental Study Committee

Explorer Scouts — Past Fundraising Chairman (1967)

Arizona Town Hall — Delegate

Casa Grande Town Hall — Delegate 

Wheat Growers Association

Arizona Association Conservation District — President (1978-1979)

National Association of Conservation District — Executive Board

Arizona Cotton Growers — Director

Arizona Navigable Stream Adjudication Committee — (1999)

Farm Service Agency — Chairman (1992-1997)

Arizona Power Authority Commission — 17 years; Past Chairman (1984-1986, 1989-2000)

Arizona Solar Energy Commission

Cotton Producers Institute

Eleven Mile Corner Gin — President

Awards

University of Arizona Centennial Award — Distinguished Alumni (1985)

University of Arizona Alumni Association (1985)

JC’s Outstanding Young Farmer (1967)

Pinal County Outstanding Young Farmer (1967)