Ag Hall Honors 2018 Inductees

Taking part in ceremonies honoring the 2018 inductees into the 5th Annual Louisiana Agriculture Hall of Distinction are, from left, Louisiana Radio Network President Jim Engster; LSU Vice President for Agriculture Bill Richardson; honoree Margie Jenkins of Amite; Peter Lanaux, who accepted for his father, the late Pierre “Pete” Lanaux of Edgard; Commissioner of Agriculture Mike Strain; Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser; and Jim Monroe of the La. Farm Bureau. The ceremonies were held on March 22 in Baton Rouge at L’Auberge Hotel.

BATON ROUGE – The 5th Annual Louisiana Agriculture Hall of Distinction recently honored Margie Jenkins and the late Pierre “Pete” Lanaux as its 2018 inductees, recognizing both for their extraordinary contributions to Louisiana agribusiness.

The ceremonies, presented by the Louisiana Radio Network, were held on March 22 at L’Auberge Casino Hotel Baton Rouge.

Jenkins, of Amite, is the first woman inducted into the hall and recognized nationally for her expertise in the nursery and landscape business. At 96, her knowledge spans hundreds of varieties of plants, as well as timber harvesting, dairy cattle and sheep.

 Lanaux is one of the state’s most successful sugarcane farmers. His career spanned seven decades, beginning in 1945 when he started farming in Edgard in St. John the Baptist Parish. Lanaux passed away in February at the age of 93.

 The Hall of Distinction honors outstanding contributions to Louisiana agriculture in farming, ranching, forestry, aquaculture, education and agribusiness. The annual ceremony is presented by the Louisiana Radio Network in cooperation with the LSU AgCenter, the Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry, and the Louisiana Farm Bureau Federation. Monsanto serves as title sponsor and First South Farm Credit is the presenting sponsor.

“Louisiana’s agricultural community has a vast impact on the state’s economy and cultural heritage,” says Don Molino, Louisiana Radio Network farm director. “The Hall of Distinction brings much-deserved recognition for those within the community who’ve had a major impact on agribusiness.”