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National Grange President William A. Steel
Pays Tribute to Hall of Fame Inductees
Bonner Springs, KS, November 1, 2006 - Oliver Hudson Kelley, founder of the National Grange of the Order of Patrons of Husbandry, was one of three individuals inducted into the National Agricultural Hall of Fame in Bonner Springs, KS on Friday, Oct. 27. Kelly and Justus von Liebig posthumously received the honor along with Senator Robert J. Dole.
The new inductees join thirty-five others who were previously honored for their contributions in the agricultural field. “They join such notables as President Abraham Lincoln, researchers Luther Burbank and George Washington Carver, and industrialist John Deere, Eli Whitney and Cyrus McCormick,” said William A. Steel, president of the National Grange of the Order of Patrons of Husbandry, during the ceremony.
Steel was a keynote speaker at the event.
“We are here today at the National Agricultural Hall of Fame to celebrate and honor the history of American agriculture and the accomplishment of the leaders and pathfinders who brought us together.”
Steel recognized each of the inductees for their agricultural contributions, beginning with Justus von Liebig.
“His comprehensive study of plant nutrition changed the nature of scientific agriculture. He downplayed the role of humus in plant nutrition and discovered that plants needed nitrogen compounds and carbon dioxide derived from the air, as well as minerals in the soil,” Steel said.
“One of his most widely recognized and far-reaching accomplishments was the invention of nitrogen-based fertilizers. He formulated the Law of the Minimum, stating that a plant’s development is limited by the one essential mineral that is relatively in shortest supply. The Law has become the basis for the modern application of nitrogen, phosphorous and potassium to make our record production possible.”
Steel went on to pay tribute to the founder of the National Grange – Oliver Hudson Kelley. Almost 140 years after its inception, Steel leads that very same national organization into the 21 st century.
“Following the close of the Civil War, (Kelley) was commissioned by President Andrew Johnson to tour the south to determine the status of agriculture in that area,” Steel said. “It was during this trip Kelley first clearly grasped the idea that the emergence of “scientific agriculture” wasn't just about improving production practices on subsistence farms. Kelley realized that there was a tremendous opportunity to build lasting social, cultural and political cohesion among America’s farmers around the theme of continuously pursuing and adapting to progress.
“His findings spurred him to develop an organization that might lift the lives of farmers, both by giving them social outlets, and providing up-to-date farming opportunities. Over the period of a couple years and by working with associates in the nation’s capitol area, the National Grange of the Order of Patrons of Husbandry was established in late 1867.”
In 1878, he retired as national secretary of the organization and had over 850,000 active members in the Grange. Steel went on to note additional accomplishment Kelley made through the Grange.
“Kelley is remembered for his drive to bring up to date methods to the farming community, his desire to see women recognized as equals, and his passion to see the young educated. The teaching of agriculture in public schools dates back to the late 1870s as a result of his efforts.
“The tradition of economic and political cooperation, scientific progress, and social cohesion that the National Grange and successor “progressive” farm organizations promoted had a tremendous impact on rural and farming communities across the entire United States.
Steel moved on to pay tribune to Kansas’ very own Sen. Robert J. Dole. Born and raised not far from the Agricultural Hall of Fame, Sen. Dole’s father ran a creamery company and his mother sold sewing machines and gave sewing lessons.
“During the great depression, his family moved to the basement of their home and rented out the main house,” Steel said.
“Following a stint in the service in World War II and his remarkable survival from severe injuries, and his education in law, he first was elected to public service as a state legislator in 1951.”
Steel told the 200-plus crowd gathered about the many contributions and the decades of service Sen. Dole gave to the American people. His public service record included years as the United States House of Representatives and the United States Senate including his 1996 unsuccessful run for the presidency against incumbent William Jefferson Clinton.
“He was recognized as a leader in every respect by his peers, having served as both minority and majority leader in the United States Senate.
“Every Farm Bill since 1962 had his personal touch. Every food or nutrition program for American citizens, and for that matter, for people around the world, has his mark. Today, as we face the very different challenges of the 21 st Century such as national energy security and environmental consequences of mankind’s reliance on fossil fuels, our children and grandchildren will undoubtedly live in a more peaceful, secure and sustainable society due to Bob Dole’s unfailing political support of, and visionary faith in, the promise of ethanol and other bio-fuel technologies that are derived from our nation’s farms and brought to us through the sustained application of the scientific principals of organic chemistry.”
In conclusion, Steel said, “A questioning mind is essential for those who would serve the common good. A dream of ‘what might be’ is essential for progress to be made. And a commitment to carry out that dream, even amidst adverse surroundings, is a character trait in every one of the people whose pictures decorate the walls of this AG Center and Hall of Fame.
“What’s your dream? Do you have an idea that will bring this divided country, or for that matter, the world closer together? Will you, or someone you influence today or tomorrow solve our energy problems or help keep our planet livable? Or help feed or clothe the next 100 million inhabitants?”
“Our challenges are every bit as great as those faced by Liebeg, Kelley and Dole.” |
