Dr. LH Newcomb '73 PhD, ACEL alum and professor emeritus, will be inducted into the Ohio Ag Hall of Fame during their induction ceremony in August.
“Each of these individuals has helped shape Ohio agriculture in ways that reach far beyond their own work,” said Mike Bailey, president of the Ohio Agricultural Council and senior vice president of operations and partnerships at Ohio Farm Bureau Federation in a news release shared by the Ohio Agricultural Council. “Their impact can be seen in the people they’ve mentored, the programs they’ve built and the example they’ve set for others to follow.”
Dr. Lawrence H. “L.H.” Newcomb devoted more than 40 years to advancing agricultural education in Ohio and beyond. As a faculty member and administrator at The Ohio State University, he taught, mentored and inspired hundreds of future agricultural educators whose influence continues to shape classrooms, farms and agribusinesses across the state, country and world. Newcomb’s impact extended well beyond the classroom. He played a key role in strengthening – more – the connection between Ohio State’s College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences and the agricultural industry, helping lead transformational initiatives that better aligned education, research and outreach with the needs of Ohio agriculture. His textbook, Methods of Teaching Agriculture, remains a foundational resource for educators nationwide. Known as a “teacher of teachers,” Newcomb built a legacy through mentorship, leadership development and a deep commitment to student success. His contributions have influenced generations of agricultural leaders, leaving a lasting impact on Ohio agriculture and the profession of agricultural education.
In addition to Newcomb, other inductees include John Grimes of Hillsboro, Nancy Patterson of Chesterland and Sparky Weilnau of Milan, who each represent a diverse cross-section of Ohio agriculture, from education and youth development to production, agribusiness and public service.