LEXINGTON, Ky. – When one gives time, service and talent to the betterment of any organization, people take notice. And those in Kentucky’s beef sector were definitely watching.

Gary Woodall, Kenneth Love, Tom McGinnis, Charles Wills and Dr. David Williams were inducted into the Kentucky Cattlemen’s Association (KCA) Hall of Fame for their years of service and contributions to the state’s agricultural industry.

KCA’s mission is to provide a strong, proactive voice for all of Kentucky’s beef farm families, serve as a resource for information and education for producers, consumers and the industry, and be a catalyst for enhancing producer profitability. The organization also likes to highlight individuals who made an impact on the state’s cattle industry.

Each year, five people are inducted into the KCA Hall of Fame, with one inductee being from each of the KCA membership regions. The five were honored during this year’s KCA annual convention last month in Lexington.

Region 1 honoree is Gary Woodall. Woodall, 92, has owned and managed commercial cattle since his childhood days but started Woodall Angus Farm in 1980. It is a registered Angus seed stock operation selling more than 100 bulls yearly across Kentucky and the southeast. He was KCA president in 2015 and has served on several committees during his time at the state level. He was the 2015 Kentucky Angus Association Performance Breeder of the Year, 2008 Logan County Chamber of Commerce Farm Family of the Year, and 2010 Logan County Extension Service Outstanding Volunteer of the Year.

“You can always learn and you never get too old to learn,” Woodall said.

Kenneth Lowe, Region 2 honoree, has been operating a purebred Angus operation (Oak Hollow Angus) in Warren County for 41 years. He is a seventh-generation cattle farmer. He was president of the Warren County Cattlemen’s for 20 years and hosted multiple educational field days for local, regional and state cattlemen. Lowe also hosted several university classes and livestock judging teams. Lowe said generations before him created the path he took.

“Several generations of my family moved here in 1799,” Lowe said. “To put that in perspective, George Washington was living and that was before the expeditions of Lewis and Clark.”

Lowe was president of the KCA in 1994 and worked on committees for the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association. He was on the board of directors for the Meat Export Federation. He has been awarded the American Angus Association Largest KY Angus breeder for several years, the Kentucky Seedstock Producer of the Year and the Kentucky Angus Association Performance Breeder of the Year.

“This has all been fun,” Lowe said, “but it’s not fun if you’re not doing the best job that you can.”

Tom McGinnis of Shelbyville, Ky., is the Region 3 honoree. McGinnis raises purebred Angus cattle. He started Heritage Farm in 1996. He is an avid supporter of youth livestock projects and the Angus breed. He has been a buyer at the local youth livestock auction since it began in 1997. He has been a sponsor of meals and activities for 4-H, cattlemen, Extension and other local agriculture organizations.

McGinnis has hosted many events at his farm, including the Great Meadows Angus Association sales. Those in and around Shelby County point to McGinnis’ kindness and generosity as being his strongest attributes.

“I find joy seeing the success of others,” said McGinnis, who credits his parents with his own personal success. “My mom and dad were hard working people. They taught me a great work ethic.”

Region 4 honoree Charles Wills purchased a 155-acre farm from his grandfather in 1960. He later added acreage and started cattle farming in the early 1970s. He became a premier backgrounder of heifers. He always opened his farm to novices and those interested in getting into the cattle business.

Wills, 93, is a charter member of the Montgomery County Cattlemen’s Association and served as president of that organization for two years. He was instrumental in recruiting and retaining more than 650 members annually.

Wills served as a second lieutenant in the U.S. Air Force and was promoted to captain during the Korean Conflict. After graduating from University of Kentucky, he taught Vo-Ag and was a teacher and principal for 36 years. He still runs his cattle operation with the help of his two grandsons.

Dr. David Williams, a Region 5 honoree, is a sixth-generation Kentucky farmer. He is owner and president of Burkmann Industries, Inc., that owns and operates 13 animal feed manufacturing plants and 17 retail locations throughout Kentucky and Tennessee. He also owns Forever Spring Farm in Danville, Ky. Williams has provided Kentucky farmers nutritional support and feed products for more than 42 years.

He has served in numerous positions over the years, including Kentucky Cattlmen’s Foundation chairman, KCA treasurer and a member of the Kentucky State Fair Board. He spent the last 47 years supporting and being a resource of Kentucky farm families.

“I just think a person serves an industry that they’re deeply connected to,” Williams said. “You ask yourself, ‘what’s your passion, what do you really care about.’ The goal is to serve and give back to the industry that has been important in your life.”

Williams began his career in the Kentucky Extension Service and his passion for agriculture education has continued throughout his career.