Six leaders from across the fields of agriculture were recognized with the Purdue Agricultural Alumni Association’s highest honor—the Certificate of Distinction—during the Purdue Ag Alumni Fish Fry on Saturday, Feb. 3 at the Tippecanoe County 4-H Fairgrounds in Lafayette, Indiana.
The Certificate of Distinction is presented each year to professionals who have contributed to agriculture, forestry or natural resources through career accomplishments, organizational involvement, community service and other activities.
The following individuals were honored this year.
FREDDIE BARNARD — Calhoun, Kentucky
- Retired Professor of Agricultural Economics at Purdue University.
TOM BECHMAN — Franklin, Indiana
- Editor of Indiana Prairie Farmer magazine.
BEN CARTER — Salem, Indiana
- Team Seed Advisor, Beck’s Hybrids.
- Former assistant director of the Purdue Crop Diagnostic Training and Research Center (now the Agronomy Center for Research & Education).
BUD G. HARMON — Wildwood, Missouri
- Retired Professor and Head of Purdue University’s Department of Animal Sciences.
DON LEHE — Brookston, Indiana
- Owner of Lehe Farms.
- Former Indiana State Representative (District 25).
STEVE NICHOLS — Delphi, Indiana
- Retired Purdue Extension agent / educator.
- Renowned swine judge.