Three inducted into Ag Hall of Fame

MOSES LAKE — The 82nd annual Moses Lake Chamber of Commerce meeting showcased the 2023 Ag Hall of Fame inductions on Tuesday at the Grant County Fairgrounds 4H Building.

This year’s theme was “It’s a Fiesta!” Brightly decorated tables and backgrounds livened up the white interior of the building. The event celebrates local businesses and acknowledges the accomplishments of leaders in the agricultural industry.

Incoming Board Chairman Jason Avila said his vision for 2024 was growth in terms of community support and the number of businesses becoming Chamber of Commerce members.

This year’s three inductees to the Ag Hall of Fame were George Counsell, Glenn Leland and John LeFave.

George Counsell’s story was told by his son Mike Counsell, who shared his father’s history as a cattleman, service member in the Air Force and a strong partnership between the Schwab and Counsell families. In addition to the induction to the Ag Hall of Fame, George Counsell walked away with one more award from his son as the “best dad and mentor.” Of all the things grown on the farm, Mike Counsell said, his prize crop didn’t come from the soil.

“He grew a great crop of a family,” he said.

Inductee Glenn Leland was introduced by Michael Leland. Glenn Leland’s family started farming in Warden, and after the passing of his father and against all odds, his mother quadrupled the family land as opposed to getting out of the industry. After attending college, Glenn Leland went to Mattawa as a farmhand and expanded his farming experience and oversight from there, Michael Leland said. He shared lighthearted stories of “Burrito the Donkey” and how Glenn Leland noted that he could truly blame the weather in 1980 after the eruption of Mount St. Helens resulted in volcanic ash covering the fields. Glenn Leland continued to be a reliable source of support for his community, supporting the Mattawa and Desert Aire Lions Club since its inception as a founding member, Michael Leland said.

The third inductee was John LeFave, introduced by Doug Robins. The LeFave family purchased their property in 1968, and John grew up showing steers for FFA before attending college, Robins said. Over the years, he farmed a variety of crops, but it was his close working partners that truly gave him joy. John had the opportunity to not only work with his father Carl, but also with his son Derik as the third successive farming generation. In recent years John continues to “work around the clock” as a “diehard Columbia Basin farmer,” even continuing to keep operations in motion while he was in a full-length leg cast in 2020, Robins said. John’s passion for community engagement was reflected in his 20-plus years of coaching various AAU sports teams and a notable passion for his pumpkin patch, from which he brought countless pumpkins to the Moses Lake Farmers Market over the years.

According to the Agriculture Hall of Fame’s website, the institution ws formed in 2010 as a means of recognizing those who have made notable contributions to the ag community in the area. Candidates are selected by their peers based on contributions to agriculture and support for the community.

Nominations for 2024 Ag Hall of Fame inductees can be completed by filling out a form on the Moses Lake Chamber of Commerce website and sending it to information@moseslake.com or by calling 509-765-7888 with any questions.

Mike Counsell was incorrectly identified in an earlier version of this article. It has been corrected above.