Those involved in agriculture have been a vital part of the community and its growth. The purpose of the Mahoning County Agriculture Hall of Fame is to recognize those who have made a significant impact on agriculture.

The Mahoning County Agricultural Society recently announced the inductees for the inaugural class of the Mahoning County Agricultural Hall of Fame as Edward and Charles Barth, and Larry and Kathy Bennett The induction ceremony will take place at 11 a.m. Wednesday — the opening day of the Canfield Fair — on the Concourse Stage located near the Grandstand. The public is welcome to attend.

The annual awards are made to men or women, husband and wife teams, or partnerships either as farmers or contributors through an agricultural related field. The Mahoning County Agricultural Society desires to honor and give public recognition to those who have brought distinction to themselves, have made outstanding contributions to their professions, and whose community involvement has served as a stimulus to others.

The Mahoning County Agricultural Society is the governing body of the Canfield Fair and Fairgrounds. The Canfield Fair is the largest county fair in the state of Ohio and is celebrating its 179th year.

ED and CHARLES BARTH

Ed and Charles Barth were more than just farmers; they were visionaries. Quiet, progressive men dedicated to their church and family, they believed in the value of hard work, often toiling from “sun up to sun down” to grow their operation.

The farm, established in 1928, began as a traditional wheat and dairy operation but evolved to focus on poultry, crops and potatoes. Their venture into the turkey business started humbly, with the brothers’ dressing birds by hand for local orders. This simple business quickly blossomed, and Barth Farms eventually grew to raise nearly 50,000 turkeys and chickens each year to meet public demand.

While they were innovators in crop production — growing corn, wheat, oats and potatoes — it was their Barth Farms fresh turkeys that made them a household name. They were pioneers in vertical integration, raising and processing their birds on the farm to ensure they were always fresh, never frozen, for the Thanksgiving and Christmas markets. This farm-to-table model was one of the first in the tri-state area.

Ed and Charles were smart, hardworking men of deep faith who never sought fame. They successfully grew their business in a time before modern technology, constantly adapting and improving their methods to meet the needs of a growing market.

LARRY and KATHY

BENNETT

For more than 80 years, Bennett’s Greenhouse was a pillar of the Greenford community, with Larry and Kathy Bennett serving as its third-generation owners.

The business began as an orchard, sponsored victory gardens, and eventuaally specialized in growing vegetables and flowers. They were particularly famous for their red geraniums for Memorial Day and their poinsettias at Christmas.

Larry and Kathy were deeply involved in their community. Larry dedicated countless hours to mentoring other greenhouse owners and furthering horticulture education in area schools. His “Best Practices” in horticulture were revered by growers throughout Ohio and neighboring states.

Kathy was equally active, sharing her talents with various agricultural groups including the Mahoning County Agricultural Society and the Farm and Dairy publication. Kathy always served as a willing leader or follower.

For more than two decades, their hard work paid off: Bennett’s Greenhouse became the largest producer of poinsettias between Cleveland and Pittsburgh. The couple’s passion for horticulture and their commitment to the business made their greenhouse one of the most profitable in the entire state and region.