Ag awards to be presented

PASCO – The 2022 inductees to the Mid-Columbia Agriculture Hall of Fame will be honored at a dinner and installation gala at the Pasco Red Lion on Wednesday, Jan. 19.

The Pioneer, Agriculture Adviser, Stewardship and Visionary awards will be presented at the hotel following a 5 p.m. social hour and dinner featuring local produce and wine.

Zenaido “Sam” and Angelica Martinez will be presented with the Pioneer Award.

Sam Martinez was a member of a migrating farm family. In 1959, he married his wife and took a job in Mesa working for Ray Bailey.

He received a 25-cent raise for each child he and his wife had and by 1965, the young couple purchased a 10-wheeled, gas-powered potato truck.

Sam Martinez continued working for Bailey and Angelica Martinez drove the truck, hauling potatoes to the the sehds.

They later purchased 11 more trucks and 250 acres near Basin City.

Jean Smith will receive the Agriculture Adviser Award for having a “significant impact” on agricultural education and industry programs.

Smith served as the Benton Franklin Area Extension Livestock Educator from 1980 through 2009. After her retirement, she volunteered.

Smith was recognized as a valuable resource and was often interviewed or asked for reference materials on livestock related issues, officials said.

Butch and Judy Wiswall will receive the Stewardship Award.

The Wiswalls have been active in many organizations, committing their time and effort to groups such as 4-H, BF Fair Stock Market, Star School District, Cattleman’s Association and Wheat Growers Association, just to name a few, officials said.

The Visionary Award will be presented to John Williams and Jim Holmes will be bestowed with this honor.

Williams and Holmes planted the vineyard on what would become the Red Mountain AVA in 1975, just outside Benton City.

They were instrumental in the formation and early organization of the first AVA, Yakima Valley.

As one of the first wineries in the state, their Kiona Vineyards and Winery is still in operation.