National Agricultural Center and Hall of Fame – Page 3

At Santa’s Express in Lights

Santa’s Express in Lights, a drive-through experience at the National Agricultural Center and Hall of Fame, 126th and State Avenue, Bonner Springs, began on Friday night. Those who drive through can see the Ag Hall decorated in holiday lights, see a living nativity with camels, alpacas and farm animals, and also wave to Santa Claus from their vehicles. There is a donation of $10 per car. The event will be Dec. 3-5 and Dec. 10-12. (Photo by Steve Rupert)

Santa’s Express in Lights included a living nativity scene with alpacas and other animals. (Photo by Steve Rupert)

Santa’s Express in Lights included a living nativity scene with animals. (Photo by Steve Rupert)

Santa’s Express in Lights to expand to six nights at Ag Hall

The annual Santa’s Express in Lights at the National Agricultural Center and Hall of Fame is expanding to six nights as a drive-through exhibit of holiday lights, music and a nativity.

The event runs for two weekends from 5:30 to 9 p.m. Friday, Saturday and Sunday, Dec. 3-5 and Dec. 10-12, at the Ag Hall of Fame, 630 N. 126th St. in Bonner Springs, Kansas.

From the comfort of their cars, visitors will see Farm Town, tractors, the barn, the train and Christmas trees all dazzling with holiday lights.

The living nativity will feature a camel, donkey, cow, alpaca, sheep and goats.

Families can wave to Santa and Mrs. Claus and their elves. Kids are invited to write a letter to Santa and bring it to place in his North Pole mailbox.

The family-friendly price is $10 per car. Visitors are encouraged to bring canned food items to donate to local food pantries. Cars will enter off 126th Street and follow the directional signs and instructions of event.

For more information visit Santa’s Express in Lights at https://www.aghalloffame.com/events/santas-express-in-lights/ or call 913-721-1075.

Ag Hall inducts Sen. Pat Roberts, two others in ceremonies

Former U.S. Sen. Pat Roberts, right, and U.S. Sen. Jerry Moran, left, look at the past honorees in the National Agricultural Center’s Hall of Fame. Roberts was inducted into the Hall of Fame on Saturday. (Photo by Steve Rupert)

Former U.S. Sen. Pat Roberts, second from left, received a plaque honoring his induction into the National Agricultural Center’s Hall of Fame on Saturday at the Ag Hall in Bonner Springs. U.S. Sen. Jerry Moran, second from right, presented the plaque. U.S. Sen. Roger Marshall is at left, and Dave Hurrelbrink, president of the board of directors of the Ag Hall, is at the right. (Photo by Steve Rupert)

Mary Jean Eisenhower, granddaughter of President Dwight Eisenhower, was a guest speaker at the induction ceremony Saturday at the National Agricultural Center and Hall of Fame, Bonner Springs. President Eisenhower signed the 1960 charter establishing the Hall of Fame. It is celebrating its 60th anniversary this year, delayed a year by COVID. (Photo by Steve Rupert)

U.S. Sen. Roger Marshall, left, visited with former U.S. Sen. Pat Roberts, center, and U.S. Sen. Jerry Moran on Saturday at the National Agricultural Center and Hall of Fame, Bonner Springs. Roberts was inducted into the Hall of Fame. (Photo by Steve Rupert)

Dean Rolando Flores, New Mexico State University, left, and President John Floros, New Mexico State University, center, accept a plaque recognizing the induction of the late Fabian Garcia into the National Agricultural Center and Hall of Fame. Presenting the plaque was Jeff Witte, right, New Mexico secretary of agriculture. The induction ceremony was Saturday at the Ag Hall in Bonner Springs. (Photo by Steve Rupert)

Dave Hurrelbrink, right, president of the board of directors of the National Agricultural Center and Hall of Fame, honored the late Elmo Mahoney with a plaque noting his induction into the Hall of Fame. Accepting the plaque was Garry Mahoney, center, accompanied by Linda Mahoney Vopat, second from left, and Jan Mahoney Hopkins, left. (Photo by Steve Rupert)

Three men who contributed to advancing American agriculture – former Sen. Pat Roberts, late horticulturist Fabián García and late farmer activist Elmo Mahoney – were inducted into the Agricultural Hall of Fame Oct. 23, at the National Agricultural Center in Bonner Springs, Kansas.

Giving remarks was Mary Jean Eisenhower, granddaughter of President Dwight D. Eisenhower, who signed the 1960 charter establishing the Agricultural Hall of Fame. Delayed by COVID, the Hall of Fame is celebrating its 60th anniversary this year.

The inductees join George Washington Carver, John Deere, Willie Nelson and other notables, with contributions including:

Former Kansas Sen. Pat Roberts supported America’s agricultural producers and advancement of bioscience, biotechnology and biosecurity. He was first to chair both the House and Senate Agriculture Committees and pass farm bills in both chambers. He supported bipartisan child nutrition programs, crop protection and insurance.

Roberts helped develop a production agriculture safety net, expand trade and ensure food sustainability. He wrote the bipartisan 2018 farm bill to support farmers and rural communities developing renewable production methods, bio-based products and advanced biofuels.

He helped bring to Kansas the National Bio and Agro-Defense Facility and the Biosecurity Research Institute. A Marine veteran, he was chairman of the Senate Intelligence Committee. As first chairman of the Senate Armed Services Subcommittee on Emerging Threats and Capabilities, he helped pass biosecurity legislation.

Fabián García (1871-1948), “Father of the New Mexican Food Industry,” pioneered breeding and growing sustainable plants that advanced agriculture nationwide. Born in Mexico, he became a naturalized U.S. citizen in 1889.
As director of the New Mexico Agricultural Experiment Station in 1914, he was the first Hispanic to lead a land-grant agricultural research station. He produced the first reliable chile pod and introduced the Grano onion breed.
He helped plant the first pecan trees in Mesilla Valley, including some still standing today. García developed modern irrigated agriculture in the state. New Mexico’s chile pepper, onion and pecan industries are attributed to his research.

Elmo Mahoney (1908-1979) worked to improve farming techniques, influence farm policy and promote farmers’ achievements. Born on a farm near Dorrance, Kansas, he invented the sickle-head drive used in harvester combine headers.
He was president of the Russell County Farm Bureau Association, director of the Kansas Wheat Growers Association and charter member of Kansas Flying Farmers. Mahoney served in the 1949-1950 Kansas House of Representatives and was policy consultant through the U.S. Department of Agriculture for the Agricultural Stabilization and Conservation Service.

Mahoney was an early preservationist of farm equipment and a national authority on Avery equipment. As its first curator he helped establish the National Agricultural Center and Hall of Fame.

Information from National Agricultural Center and Hall of Fame