By Faith Peppers
University of
Georgia
Bill
Roquemore and Alvin
Newton, two pioneers in Georgia
agriculture, were inducted into the Georgia Agricultural Hall
of Fame during a ceremony in Athens Sept. 16.
The Hall of Fame is a program of the University of Georgia
College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences.
Known as the “Father of Center-Pivot Irrigation” in Georgia,
Newton installed Georgia’s first center-pivot system in 1967.
And many people view Roquemore as the leading pioneer in
commercializing Georgia forage and turf grasses.
During the banquet, the CAES also recognized Randy
Nuckolls with the Alumni Association’s Award of Excellence.
The award is given to CAES alumni who have achieved excellence in
their chosen field and in their community.
Newton led the way for the adoption of center-pivot irrigation
throughout Georgia as part of his tractor and farm equipment
business, Newton-Hamrick Company.
A native of Colquitt, Ga., he became interested in center-pivot
irrigation in 1965. When he installed his first system, he
photographed the effects of irrigated versus nonirrigated
cropland. He used a slide presentation to show farmers the
advantages of irrigation, which many had thought wasn’t
feasible.
He installed 12 systems in 1969 and doubled the number annually
for many years. Georgia now has more than 11,000 center-pivot
systems.
Roquemore’s leadership and vision helped boost Georgia’s
turfgrass production to a $1.56 billion industry.
He began working at Patten Seed in 1947 and led the company
until his death in ’97. During his 50 years there, he advanced
a small seed cleaning plant into an industry giant.
“The fact that Patten Seed grew under Mr. Roquemore’s
leadership into one of the leading warm-season grass seed, sod
and sprig producers in the world is a strong statement to his
business and personal leadership ability,” said Ronnie Stapp,
executive vice-president of seed operations for Pennington
Seed, Inc.
Nuckolls, a 1974 summa cum laude graduate of CAES, has
distinguished himself as a leader and a public servant through
both his prominent professional career and his dedicated work
with many Georgia organizations.
He is a partner in the law firm McKenna, Long & Aldridge in
Washington, D.C. With his 28 years of experience in Washington,
he developed a keen understanding of federal issues in public
policy.
