July 18, 2012

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Mr. Howarth Taylor on being inducted into the Arkansas Agriculture Hall of Fame. For over 60 years Mr. Taylor has been a pillar of his community. Before starting a career in agriculture Mr. Taylor demonstrated a strong commitment to our country as a member of the Greatest Generation. Mr. Taylor was a prisoner of war following the Battle of the Bulge in Germany. For his service Mr. Taylor earned a Purple Heart and Prisoner of War Medal. Mr. Taylor started out as a tenant farmer growing corn and soybeans. Soon after he moved to Hickory Ridge, Arkansas he bought an 850 acre farm and established Taylor Seed Company. Today, Mr. Taylor's farms over 3,000 acres and grows, processes, stores and sells rice, soybeans, oats and wheat seed to farmers throughout Arkansas. By devoting his entire operation to seed production Mr. Taylor is able to produce a quality product. Mr. Taylor and his wife Ella raised six children on their farm and in 1969 were named the state's Farm Family of the Year. He has been an active member of the Cross County Farm Bureau board of directors since 1952 and served as president for three years. The Taylors are also active in their community, local schools and the Hickory Ridge Missionary Baptist Church.