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11th class of honorees to be inducted

Four honorees, Ray Dorley & Ray Dorley, Jr (Keystone Meats), Gary Jackson (Ag Broadcaster), Ron Spencer and H.G. Violet, Inc, will be inducted by the Lima/Allen County Chamber of Commerce into the Allen County Agricultural Hall of Fame presented by Nutrien, during an evening banquet July 27 at the Veterans Memorial Civic & Convention Center in Lima.

The Dorley’s began the Pride of Lima Provision Co, in 1954, which has transitioned into today’s Keystone Brand Meats. Gary Jackson was the “voice of agriculture” on WIMA/WIMT radio and the Ohio Ag Net. Ron Spencer has been involved in farming and farm real estate since 1972. And H. G. Violet, Inc has been a steady source of agriculture related implements and supplies that date back to 1945 – today owned by Howard and Lora Violet.

The Allen County Agriculture Hall of Fame is celebrating its 11th induction class. According to the Chamber’s agri-business committee chair Russ Decker, “our goal with the Hall of Fame is to annually recognize local agriculturalists that have been instrumental to the success and excellence of agriculture in Allen County, either as a farmer or in an agricultural-related field. All of our 2023 inductees truly reflect the award’s purpose of honoring and giving 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.”