All photos courtesy of the state Department of Agriculture
CHARLESTON, W.Va. –The West Virginia Agriculture and Forestry Hall of Fame is getting six new members.
A banquet will be held Saturday, July 11, at Jackson’s Mill to honor the new inductees. A reception will begin at 4 p.m. followed by dinner at 5 p.m.
A release from the state Department of Agriculture, the award is given to honor West Virginians who have made outstanding contributions to the establishment, development, advancement, and improvement of agriculture, forestry, and family life in West Virginia and around the world.
Inductees include:
– Marshall County native Lloyd Earnest, who dedicated more than 30 years to agricultural and science education in Marshall County Schools. He received a degree in food science from WVU. He taught vocational agricultural at Cameron High School for more than 25 years and served as an FFA advisor and mentor.
– Ritchie County native Lynwood “Woody” Ireland, has dedicated more than 70 years to the agricultural industry. He earned a bachelor’s degree from WVU and served two years in the U.S. Army. Following that he returned home to help grow his family farm, a 1,200-acre beef cattle operation that is still in business today. He has served in various roles including President of the West Virginia Farm Bureau, led the West Virginia Arabian Horse Association, and the West Virginia Horse Council and even served for a decade as a state delegate.
– Upshur County native Donnie Tenney, is a Vietnam veteran and earned his education at WVU and West Virginia Wesleyan College. He served 18 years on the Upshur County Commission and spent five decades as owner and operator of Appalachian Acres, Inc., a 45-acre farm featuring managed timberland, high tunnels, and greenhouses. He currently serves as chairman of the Tygarts Valley Conservation District as a supervisor and is president of the West Virginia Association of Conservation Districts.
– Pennsylvania native, Edward Kraynok, where his career has spanned four decades in forest management, timberland operations, and natural resource leadership across the Appalachian region. He received a bachelor’s degree in forest science from Penn State in 1973. As a forester in West Virginia, he joined Coastal Lumber Company in 1977, where he helped the company grot their land base and even served as vice president. Kraynok is a member of the Society of American Foresters and served as president of the West Virginia Forestry Association.
– Upshur County native Dale Woody, has been in the forestry industry since the 1950’s. He worked alongside his father at the family sawmill on Jenks Fork, before serving in the West Virginia National Guard. He returned home and helped grow Woody Lumber Company into one of the state’s most respected timber operations. He was eventually named president in 1966. He was awarded the West Virginia Forestry Association President’s Award in 1989 and served for many years on the First Community Bank Board of Directors.
– Jefferson County native Dennis “Denny” Barron, began his career has a 4-H member in 1961, and has devoted more than 65 years to the organization as a leader, mentor, fundraiser, and advocate. Barron played a pivotal role in integrating the West Virginia 4-H Foundation into the WVU Foundation. Some of Barron’s honors include induction into the WV 4-H Hall of Fame, the Distinguished Mountaineer Award, and numerous recognitions for public service, leadership, and community impact.
“This year’s inductees represent the very best of West Virginia’s agriculture and forestry communities,” Matthew Wilson HOF board president said. “Their lifelong commitment to innovation, stewardship, and service has made a lasting impact not only on their industries, but on their families and communities they support. It’s an honor to recognize individuals whose work continues to strengthen and shape the future of West Virginia.”
