Members of the Colorado Agriculture Hall of Fame

Wayne Aspinall (1896-1983) served in both the Colorado House and Senate. In the state legislature, he held the position of Speaker of the House from 1937 to 1938. Aspinall also served with distinction in the United States Congress from 1948 to 1972. As a member of the House Agriculture Committee, Aspinall was a spokesman for western agriculture. His leadership is best recognized in his service as the chairman of the House Interior Committee. There, he helped carve out the water reclamation policies that set a solid foundation for the continued development of irrigated agriculture and rural communities throughout the West.

Fay DeBerard Sr., a Hereford cattle breeder from Kremmling, was an avid promoter of Colorado’s cattle industry. He was also an effective advocate for the concerns of rural Colorado. During his 23 years in the state legislature, he introduced and supported legislation that promoted the agricultural industry in the areas of water, environment, fish and game education and natural resources. Fay served for many years on the National Western Stock Show Board of Directors. He produced several champions in registered Hereford and feeder cattle categories.

David Hamil (1909-2002) began his political career as a member of the Colorado House of Representatives. He served as the Speaker of the Colorado House before President Dwight D. Eisenhower appointed him as Rural Electrification Administration administrator in 1953, a post he held throughout the Eisenhower Administration. Upon returning to Colorado, he was appointed Director of Institutions by then-Governor John Love. In 1968, newly-elected President Richard Nixon asked Hamil to return to Washington, D.C., as REA administrator. He continued to serve in that post through the Nixon, Ford and Carter administrations.

James G. Patton was a friend of several presidents, and was known as one of President Truman’s closest advisors. As president of the Denver-based National Farmers Union from 1940 to 1966, James Patton left an impact on the world that extended beyond agriculture and rural communities. He served on the National Advisory Committee of Rural Areas Development, was a member of the Food for Peace Council, Freedom From Hunger and served on the national advisory board of the Marshall Plan.

Charles F. Brannan (1903- 1995) is best known as the author of the “Brannan Plan,” which was designed to stabilize farm production and strengthen agricultural incomes. The plan was developed when Brannan was serving as the U.S. Secretary of Agriculture under President Harry S. Truman. A native of Denver, Brannan was appointed assistant secretary of agriculture in 1944 by President Franklin D. Roosevelt. In addition to his service in the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Brannan served as economic adviser to the American delegation in the United Nations formation in San Francisco.

Dr. Robert E. Moreng invested his years in a life of dedicated service to poultry science education, research, and the industry while at Colorado State University. He is credited with more than 65 publications and 35 articles in scientific journals. Moreng has worked with foreign governments consulting and making educational presentations relating to poultry management, genetics and environmental effects on growth, reproduction and performance.

Moreng has received numerous awards including the Colorado FFA Honorary State Farmer, Colorado Poultry Industry Service Award and Poultry Scientist of the Year. He has served CSU in various departments and is a professor emeritus at CSU.

Dave G. Rice Jr. dedicated himself to the livestock industry and to the state of Colorado for more than 40 years. He has been a true friend, and a strong ally of agriculture in the legislature. Governors, legislators and government officials have appointed Rice to many advisory committees and task forces associated with agriculture.

Upon graduation from Colorado State University in 1939, Rice worked for the Cooperative Extension Service in Elbert and Delta counties. In 1949, he was appointed executive secretary for the Colorado Cattleman’s Association and continued to work with that organization as a lobbyist for many years. Rice received numerous awards including a legislative resolution, tribute and plaque in the Capitol rotunda, and the Colorado FFA State Star Farmer.

John D. Vanderhoof, the 37th governor of Colorado and a former president of Club 20, has an understanding of the agricultural industry that is highly praised by Colorado’s farmers and ranchers.

Vanderhoof was elected as a state representative in 1950 and served in that capacity for 20 years. He spent six years as floor leader and six years as Speaker of the House. In 1970, he was elected lieutenant governor, and in 1973 he became governor.

Vanderhoof served in the South Pacific during World War II, winning the Distinguished Flying Cross and two air medals. He was presented with the Colorado Farm Bureau’s highest honor in 1983—the “Service to Agriculture Award.”

Bob Broughton, known to his colleagues as “Mr. Colorado Apple,” spent nearly 86 years helping this segment of Colorado agriculture put its best foot forward by marketing and selling fruit crops. In 1940, Broughton and two partners bought Garvin’s United Marketing Exchange in Delta. Along with it came the well-known Tom-Tom brand, a registered trademark used by United Marketing Exchange on top quality fresh fruit.

Broughton sold nationally and internationally at markets in Illinois, California and Canada. For more than 55 years, Broughton devoted his energy to getting the best prices for fruit growers.

Forrest G. Burns served on the Rocky Mountain Farmer’s Union board for several years, is a charter member of the Colorado Wheat Growers Association and a member of the Colorado Cattlemen’s Association.

Burns served in the House of Representatives from 1957 to 1981. He served on the Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee and the Education Committee. Burns chaired the Agriculture Committee for 12 years and the Education Committee for two years during his tenure. He was instrumental in getting water legislation for permanent water in the John Martin Dam. Burns was successful in purchasing the Two Buttes Area for recreation in Baca County. He carried the bill for Gasohol Legislation to convert grain to fuel, and was instrumental in eliminating the property tax on agricultural equipment.

Homer L. Pearson (1900-1985) helped start the carnation flower judging contest which allowed Colorado carnations to be judged and compared with flowers across the country. He also served on the committee that trademarked the Colorado Carnation.

During his tenure in the Colorado House of Representatives, Pearson established funding for the Posey Pickers of Colorado. He helped organize the first grower short course in February 1936, and developed the grades and standards for carnations, which are still in use today.

Pearson served as Speaker of the House three times and sponsored legislation that allowed rural fire departments to be formed. He also served as lieutenant governor from 1946 to 1948, and was a member of the Colorado Board of Agriculture from 1961 to 1969.

Willard Simms was appointed general manager of the National Western Stock Show in August 1955. During his term, he launched a program of expansion and improvement ranging from show ring enhancements to press relation improvements. With these changes, the stock show experienced its greatest growth in history: the new coliseum was built; the Denver Stockyards were acquired; and the Hall of Education, Beef Palace, Equine Center and parking facilities were added.

During Simms tenure, educating the urban population became a major emphasis of the show. Simms became active in the organization of the rodeo managers and in numerous civic organizations including the Rotary Club and the Chamber of Commerce.