By Marlee Jackson

Three lauded leaders in Alabama agriculture were inducted into the Hall of Honor Feb. 20 in Auburn. Inductees were Andy Sumblin, agribusiness; Dr. Arlie Powell, education and government; and Charles Holmes, production.

Coordinated by the Auburn Agricultural Alumni Club, the event posthumously paid homage to Pioneer Award recipients Dr. Clifton Cox and Dr. Gordon Patterson.

A native of Kinston in Coffee County, Sumblin spent more than 40 years with what is now Nutrien Ag Solutions. He mentored countless industry professionals and was instrumental in founding Covington Gin Co. and Andalusia Peanut.

Sumblin is also a dedicated farmer whose row crop, sod and cattle operation spans south Alabama and Walton County, Florida.

“I couldn’t have accomplished what I did without a whole team behind me — my family, my team who worked for Nutrien Ag, my farm help and a lot of people from Auburn over the years,” Sumblin said to attendees in the packed banquet hall. “I love this university. War Eagle.”

A cornerstone of horticultural education and outreach, Powell spent his career in Extension helping farmers improve specialty crop production. He worked in Florida and Georgia before landing at Auburn University.

Powell has authored over 300 works; pioneered cane selection and trellising of blackberries; and encouraged establishment of the Chilton Research and Extension Center. 

He and son Jason operate Petals from the Past, an heirloom nursery in Jemison in Chilton County.

“(Ben Hagler) convinced me Auburn was the place to be,” Powell said. “I was convinced immediately that was absolutely the right decision. I want to thank everyone, thanks a million, for…recognizing all the honorees.”

Holmes is the sixth generation at Holmestead Farms near Marion in Perry County. The farm is one of Alabama’s oldest continuous working family operations and was an early adopter of conservation practices. Holmes continues that legacy of stewardship through the farm’s healthy forests and robust agritourism elements.

He is a longtime leader in agricultural groups, including the Perry County Farmers Federation, Alabama TREASURE Forest Association and National Association of Conservation Districts.

“There are so many more deserving people other than me for this award,” Holmes said. “The experiences I got from Cattlemen’s and from Alfa, my coming up in Soil & Water and the opportunities and the people I’ve met have given me so much insight. I give my credit to all of y’all who helped me be the person I am to receive this award.”

Pioneer Award honoree Cox mentored numerous doctoral candidates and young people who then made significant contributions to agriculture. A leader in the food division at Armour and Co., Cox was a trusted national authority on agriculture.

Patterson’s impact on agriculture continues to ripple across generations. He taught agriscience education at Auburn for 45 years; advised the Auburn Collegiate FFA chapter; and facilitated countless Alabama State FFA Conventions.