AR HR1021

Hugh McClain of Buford, Arkansas, is being inducted into the Arkansas Agriculture Hall of Fame on March 11, 2011, joining notable agricultural figures including U.S. Senators Dale Bumpers and David Pryor, and poultry magnate Don Tyson.

McClain returned to Baxter County in 1969 after a decade working with turkey growers across the Midwest as a Cargill Inc. representative, starting with $4,400 and knowledge of commercial turkey production.

Over 40 years, McClain became Arkansas's largest independent turkey producer and established himself as a cattleman, landowner, and banker, at one point managing 42 growers across Baxter, Marion, and Boone counties.

As of 2002, McClain continues to operate 15 houses on his Buford farm producing approximately 500,000 turkeys annually to market weight.

The House of Representatives commends McClain for his contributions to north-central Arkansas's property tax base, job creation, and agricultural product movement in the region, and directs the Chief Clerk to provide him with a copy of the resolution.