LIMA, Ohio (WLIO) — A large crowd gathered Thursday evening to welcome the newest members of the Allen County Agricultural Hall of Fame.
The annual event recognizes individuals and families who have made significant contributions to the success and excellence of agriculture in Allen County.
Among this year's inductees were the team behind Thompson Seed Farm on Defiance Trail Road. They were joined by longtime local farmers Gary and Jackie Austin, who have been a fixture in the farming community near Harrod for decades.
The inductees said the relationships they have built and the people they have helped throughout the years have been the greatest reward and the motivation to continue serving the agricultural community.
"I grew up on a farm, and then, Gary and I were married, and we've lived on the same farm for 58 years now. I was really involved in 4-H, and so, that's where I think my part of this award comes from," says Jackie Austin, a 2026 Allen County Agriculture Hall of Fame Inductee.
"I started working with my grandfather back around '67. That's when I graduated school. I was involved with FFA. I went through several degree levels with FFA, and I guess I just started farming for the rest of my life. It's what I wanted to do," says Gary Austin, a 2026 Allen County Agriculture Hall of Fame Inductee.
"Just keeping it small and simple- I like to say like what my great-grandfather did. We handshake-deal; we still take checks; we don't take credit cards; we help local farmers in the area and just keep it on a personal basis and just kind of plug along," says Reid Thompson, Thompson Seed Farm, Inc.
Nutrien once again sponsored the event, with 100% of the proceeds from the banquet benefiting the Allen County Junior Fair program.
