Hal Lewis, defoliation innovator, named to Arkansas Ag Hall of Fame

Hal Lewis, developer of what's commonly called the "Hal Lewis Method" for defoliation timing, was recently inducted in the Arkansas Agriculture Hall of Fame. Lewis, a native of Manila, Ark., also conducted research that led to the development of the cotton module builder and bollweevil eradication systems. In his role as a plant breeder, he is credited with introducing 3 cotton varieties, 4 commercial soybean varieties and 2 grain sorghum hybrids.

Among others inducted were:

Former governor and U.S. Sen. Dale Bumpers.

Bob McGinnis of West Memphis. A native of Marianna and a former state representative, McGinnis introduced legislation that authorized the state's boll weevil erad program. McGinnis is a retired cotton farmer.

Betty T. Sloan of Jonesboro. She took over operations of the family farming operation after her husband’s death, becoming president and manager of one of northeast Arkansas’ largest farming operations.

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