(Jefferson City, Mo.) — Five agricultural leaders were celebrated April 14 during the third annual Missouri Agricultural Hall of Fame ceremony at the Capital Bluffs Event Center in Jefferson City.
Governor Mike Kehoe met with the honorees during a private reception at the Missouri Governor’s Mansion before addressing the 400 industry leaders gathered for the induction ceremony.
“These inductees represent the very best of Missouri agriculture—leaders who don’t just succeed in their own operations but have helped shape the future of this industry,” said Governor Kehoe. “Because of their work, agriculture in Missouri is stronger, more innovative, and better positioned for the next generation. And if we keep building on that foundation together, the best is yet to come.”
The 2026 inductees, recognized for their outstanding contributions to Missouri agriculture, are:
- Anson Elliott – Longtime director and beloved professor at Missouri State University’s Darr College of Agriculture, who taught and mentored thousands of students during his lifetime. He has been an influential voice for Missouri agriculture on regional, state and national levels.
- John Fletcher – General manager of Central Missouri AGRIService (CMAS), whose visionary growth of the company’s grain-handling and agronomic services has made a lasting impact on area farmers. He is also an active leader in his local community and in the agricultural industry.
- Jackie Moore – Owner and operator of Joplin Regional Stockyards, the nation’s largest livestock auction with more than 600,000 head of cattle sold each year. Under Moore’s leadership, he and his family have taken the Stockyards to new heights of cattle feeding, marketing and outreach.
- Jim Novinger – A 10th-generation farmer and industry leader who runs a diversified row-crop and cattle operation near Kirksville. His forward-looking family has long recognized the value in feeding cattle and using conservation and precision practices to protect the land and resources.
- Gary Porter – A competitive grower and vocal advocate for agriculture who has held local, state and national leadership roles, including service on boards of the National Corn Growers, U.S. Grains Council and Missouri Corn. He and his family run a generational grain farm in Mercer.
“As each of these gentlemen show, you don’t have to hold a title to be a leader,” said Chris Chinn, director of the Missouri Department of Agriculture. “The hours they spent volunteering, pouring into their businesses and working their family farms cannot be matched by anyone. The love they have for the agriculture industry is clearly evident.”
Established in 2023, the Missouri Agricultural Hall of Fame honors farmers, ranchers and agribusiness leaders for their exceptional impact on the state’s agricultural landscape. Inductees are selected by a committee and celebrated annually. Each recipient receives a custom sculpture by Missouri artist Clay Gant of “Cowboy Bronze” in Cross Timbers, featuring a beef bull, wheat, and corn—symbolizing the power and diversity of Missouri agriculture.
MFA Incorporated and MFA Oil serve as presenting sponsors, with additional support from the Missouri State Fair Foundation’s 1901 Society—named for the first Missouri State Fair in 1901—and other key partners.
“The Missouri State Fair Foundation is proud to honor the third class of inductees into the Missouri Agricultural Hall of Fame,” said Karri Wilson, executive director of the Missouri State Fair Foundation. “The overwhelming support for this program proves its importance, and the tradition will continue to grow as we celebrate the remarkable individuals who have shaped Missouri’s agricultural legacy.”
Videos featuring each of the inductees can be viewed at bit.ly/2026MoAgHOF.
Photos from the event can be found on Gov. Kehoe’s Flickr site at governor.mo.gov/eventphotos.
For more information, visit the Missouri State Fair Foundation online at www.mostatefairfoundation.net.
