2026 Agricultural Hall of Fame

The Agricultural Hall of Fame was formed to identify and recognize the many individuals who have provided their time and talents to enhance the industry and develop the agricultural community through education and service, be they farmers, farm couples or partnerships, educators, or agricultural leaders who have had a positive effect on the growth and enhancements of Mahoning County agriculture and beyond.

The 2026 Recipients are listed below. The recipients will be recognized on Wednesday, September 2nd at 11am at the Concourse Stage.

Nominations for 2027 will be available in Spring 2027, please check back to this page. Questions can be directed to the Canfield Fair office at P.O. Box 250, Canfield, Ohio 44406 or by calling 330-533-4107

Jerome Hull

Born on October 3, 1881 Jerome was a lifelong resident of Mahoning County. Married to Doris they had nine children together. A well-known educator, fruit farmer and turkey grower. Jerome acquired his Green Township Farm from his maternal lineage dating back to 1809 from the Jefferson Administration. Intensely patriotic, he named several of his sons after presidents and insisted the farm house be painted white and the farm called White House Fruit Farm as a tribute to the office of the American presidency. Jerome planted the first apple orchard in the early 1920’s on the farm beginning his long tradition of agriculture, public service and education and White House Fruit Farm was established. Jerome was a progressive farmer, eager to implement new advances in agriculture innovations and research. In 1933 amidst the great depression and a severely depressed fruit market Jerome began raising turkeys alongside his orchards. He was highlighted in a 1948 issue of Turkey World Magazine for his innovative methods to raising turkeys. These methods including unusual brooder house construction for poult health and comfort, rigorous sanitation and brooder and weaning house rotation. A pioneer in telephone marketing to sell quick frozen turkeys he was able to successfully overcome public skepticism. After reaching their peak in turkey production (around 5,000-6,000 birds a year) they exited the turkey industry to focus on fruit and vegetable farming in the 1960’s. In 1962 he was among the first of Ohio apple growers to incorporate dwarfing rootstocks into his orchard. This greatly simplified care and harvesting of apple trees.

A prominent educator Jerome spent over 60 years in the Mahoning County education system. He was a teacher in a one room school house. Head of Canfield Schools (1904-1908), superintendent of Boardman Schools, He was unanimously elected as the first superintendent of Mahoning County Schools in 1914 a position he held for 18 years. During this tenure he was responsible for consolidating one room school houses into the school districts that we know today, instituted serving warm lunches in rural schools and served as executive of the County Teachers Institute. Jerome always wanted to bring Agriculture to the classroom. Through his position he helped to implement the Educational Building at the Canfield Fair and worked to fill it with agricultural exhibits from students across the county. Briefly resigning from education to focus on the farm he was called back to serve for another 20 years in various roles. He served on the Green Township Board of Education, Mahoning County Board of Education and was a member of Northeast Ohio Teachers Association, Ohio State Teachers Association and National Teachers Association. He was instrumental in the refurbishing of the Knaufville School for the Western Reserve Village.

Community Member through and through Jerome was a member of the Canfield Lodge of Masons, Canfield United Methodist Church, Ohio Horticultural Society, Apple Industry Committee, and Ohio Turkey Association. Jerome received many accolades throughout his career, from 60 years in education, to 65 years with his church and community, it was stated in the Salem News that “a man more knowledgeable on the subject of fruit farming than Jerome Hull would be hard to find.” Jerome’s love of agriculture and legacy live on through his family and White House Fruit Farm today.

Brenda Anderson Markley

Born August 17, 1964 Brenda has been involved with agriculture her entire life. Actively involved in 4-H as a 10 year member she served on the county food and fashion board, showed livestock projects and completed 4-6 projects a year. She was a member of the FFA as well serving as chapter secretary and on the state Parliamentary Procedure team, showed sheep and received her State FFA degree. She was also a member of the Clark County Junior Fair Board.

In 1986, Brenda graduated from The Ohio State University with a major in Agriculture Education/Animal Sciences. She had interned three summers for Clark County Extension office. In 1986 she began her career as a Vocational Ag Instructor in Wayne County. In 1987 she served as the Ohio Farm Bureau Organization Director for Ashtabula/Lake/Geauga/Trumbull Counties receiving the Most Tenacious Award for Membership Campaign work. From 1990-2020 Brenda made her mark in Mahoning County as the Mill Creek MetroParks Agricultural Facilities (Education) Manager.

During her 30 years in this position she created and conducted farm tours, agricultural education programs in schools, partnered with county organizations for the use of McMahon Hall through staffing and scheduling, actively cared for the livestock on the farm as well as the exhibit in Old McDonald’s Barn during the Canfield Fair. Brenda met with agricultural leaders from around the state and Pennsylvania on how to set up farm tours with an emphasis on schools participating in field trips. A notable annual event that Brenda was responsible for was the Farm Animal Baby Shower. An event that welcomed 3,000-6,000 visitors to the farm each spring in just a 6 hour period. Brenda created legendary classroom programming for teachers that was used year after year. Brenda was selected as a member of the LEAD program through The Ohio State University. This program led her to participate in agriculture in 6 states as well as internationally to Canada, China and Australia to learn and share about agriculture. Another highlight of Brenda’s career was Ag in the Classroom a program that brings Agriculture to students in schools. Brenda worked with Ohio Farm Bureau and Ashland University to create week-long teacher workshops and in the programs peak Brenda was part of adding and editing ideas for materials and was selected to be the Ohio delegate to several National level conferences. Brenda, a trained presenter for Food, Land and People, a program through the Soil and Water Conservation District helped train educators in Pre-K-12th grades with hands-on lessons that taught students the relationship between ag, the environment and humans.

In her 30 years at the MetroParks Brenda welcomed over 250,000 visitors making a lasting impact on students and families. Her personality made her work with children natural and many times she was recognized out and about by children who had been to the farm. Brenda has received many accolades through her career in 4-H, Farm Bureau and more. Brenda never thought of the MetroParks as a job but as a way of life, always making sure to include her son to teach the next generation about agriculture.

Howard Moff

Born September 18, 1934 Howard has been instrumental in the dairy industry for years. Howard has been married to his wife Barb for 69 years. Together they have built a dairy legacy with three sons and daughters-in-laws, Nine grandchildren and seventeen great-grandchildren. A graduate of The Ohio State University Dairy Science program and lifetime Alumni member. Howard’s commitment to agriculture, dairy excellence and community are unwavering. He has been a hands-on farmer, leader and community servant seeking ways to help with agricultural advancements, and farming traditions. Leader of Moff Family Farm a multi-generational dairy farm he has contributed significantly to Mahoning County, Ohio and National Agriculture in the dairy industry. Howard has earned many accolades in dairy production, milk marketing, cattle breeding and advancements. An early adopter of embryo transfers he helped to introduce progressive breeding that strengthened herd quality and production. Howard’s breeding efforts have reached the international stage through the sale of cattle and embryos showcasing the quality and reputation of Mahoning County agriculture.

Howard is a community man serving on the Canfield Fair Board, as a church leader and Boardman Schools bus driver for 46 years. Howard’s passion for Holstein cattle can be seen through his involvement on local, county, state, national and international levels. 4-H dairy club advisor, host and supporter of dairy judging teams, member of the state Holstein Board, exhibitor at the North American Dairy Show and All-American Dairy Show. Howard has taken his knowledge of Holstein cattle and the dairy industry to create champion bulls, be recognized with multiple breed and breeder awards notably breeder of 60 Excellent cows with the highest being a 95pt Ouric Faye Ann Mandingo Deann as Reserve Champion 1992 International Holstein Show. He has exported cows to 7 countries and 18 states. He has had sires at Select Sires and ABS. Howard’s strong influence in the dairy industry and progressive mindset has helped the Holstein breed advance in his 84 years.