Arizona Agricultural Legends to be Inducted into the Arizona Farm & Ranch Hall of Fame
BUCKEYE, AZ —The Arizona Farm and Ranch (AZFAR) Hall of Fame is pleased to announce that seven agricultural legends will be inducted into the 2025 Hall of Fame on March 22, 2025, at the Sheraton Grand at Wild Horse Pass celebration dinner. This prestigious honor recognizes individuals and organizations who have made significant contributions to the agricultural community in Arizona, celebrating their dedication, innovation, and leadership.
The honorees for 2025 whose significant contributions have left an indelible mark on the agricultural landscape include:
Arizona State Cowbelles is the chapter of the American National CattleWomen and is active in beef promotion, education, legislation, community service, and scholarship.
Jessee Hooker Davis is a sixth generation of the Hooker family and runs the Sierra Bonita Ranch in Willcox, AZ. He won numerous environment awards and served on the board of directors of the Arizona Cattle Growers Association for Cochise/Graham.
Barbara Stevenson Jackson owns Vaquero Feeds and Livestock Supply and Animal Health Express in Tucson, AZ. She was the national president of the American National CattleWomen. Along with her husband, she owns a ranch in Sonoita. Her father, Carl Stevenson, established Red Rock Feed Yards.
The Ak Chin Farms Board nominated Leona Carlyle-Kakar from Tucson, AZ. Working alongside her two brothers, she lobbied for water to benefit the Ak Chin Farms. She was a trailblazer and well-known in Washington, DC, where she served over 40 years as a farm leader. Farm Enterprise recognized it as one of the largest and most successful farming communities in the United States.
Ernest W. McFarland was a farmer and rancher in Pinal County who served as an Arizona U.S. Senator, U.S. Senate Majority Leader, Arizona Governor, and Chief Justice of the Arizona Supreme Court. He was an expert on water law and a key player in the Central Arizona Project.
The Orme Family and ranch are ancestors of J.P. Orme, one of the founders of the Salt River Project. They established the Quarter Circle V Bar Ranch in Yavapai County, AZ, in 1929, the Orme Ranch School in 1930, and received the Wide Open Space Award from the Central Arizona Land Trust in Prescott in 2023.
W.T. Gladden, from Buckeye, AZ, has farmed in the West Valley for decades. He is president of the Buckeye Water and Conservation District and advocates for agriculture and water rights locally and nationally. His most recent achievement in water policy was the passing of SB 1081 in June 2024.
Nominees, whose work has significantly impacted the agricultural community, exemplify excellence in one or more of the following areas:
• Innovation: Pioneering new agricultural techniques or technologies. • Leadership: Demonstrating exceptional leadership in the agriculture sector. • Community Service: Contributing significantly to the welfare of the agriculture community. • Lifetime Achievement: Sustaining an enduring impact on Arizona agriculture throughout their career.
The AZFAR Hall of Fame, as a platform for recognizing excellence, seeks to inspire and motivate future generations of farmers and ranchers by identifying those whose work has advanced the industry.
For more information about the AZFAR Hall of Fame inductees or the nomination process, please visit www.azfarmandranch.org or contact Janice Bryson at (623) 556-6861 or janiceryanbryson@gmail.com. For media inquiries, to learn about sponsorship, or to attend the event, please visit our website or email Catherine Locke at admin@azfarmandranch.org.
