The National Farmers Memorial
This Memorial is dedicated to the American Farmer past, present and future
To the Farmers of America
Because of the sacrifices that you have made
Because of the hardships that you have endured
Because of your determination to succeed
This National Farmers Memorial is dedicated to your purpose and in your honor, for you are the foundation of America, in the past, present and in the future.
Donald J. Meyer, Management
Union Project Coordinator
The Unveiling of the National Farmers' Memorial and Sculpture
"The American Farmer" by Lewis Watkins
September 1, 1986
Dedication Addresses
Robert E. Dole, U S Senator
Robert C. Myers, U S Deputy Sec. of Ag.
John Carlin, Gov. of Kansas
Harland Priddle, Kansas Secy. of Ag.
The Gala and Completion of the National Farmers Memorial and Sculpture "The American Farmer"
November 9, 1989
Dedication Addresses:
Clayton Yeutter, U.S. Secretary of Agriculture
Mike Hayden, Governor of Kansas
Sam Brownback, Kansas Secretary of Agriculture
S. Mason Carbaugh, Commissioner, Department of Agriculture
Edward Asner, Master of Ceremonies
A Special Tribute to
The American Farmer World Premier, "The Salt of the Earth"
by recording artists - The Bellamy Brothers
Founders
Harold L. Adkins
Robert A. Moffa
Lewis B. Watkins
Harold L. Adkins
A farmers [sic] son and a farmers advocate
Member of both 4-H and FFA
Director of the
Agricultural Hall of Fame
1977 - 1989
No man could earn a greater honor than to serve as director of the Hall of Fame twelve years & co-founder of a memorial that honors the American Farmer, past, present and future
Harold L. Adkins
Robert A. Moffa
1941 -
Composer [of] orchestral suite
"The American Farmer"
Past Present and Future
Premier August 21, 1986
"I was reared a farmer and know the lifestyle, the joys & sadness, the work, and the importance of keeping the existence of the American Farm. In my music I have tried to reflect the farmers' way of life, of the past & the present and to instill hope for the future."
Lewis Watkins
American Sculptor
1945 -
"Dreamers dream, while artists create dreams. I have found that the American Farmer creates his dreams each year with the beginning of each season. I am in hopes that my sculpture will influence the dreams of the farmer of the future, to provide for this country as he has in the past and present."
Faces reflected in the sculpture are, left to right; Harry E. Jackson, Elizabeth Scholl, Alfred Hettinger, Tom Heath, Lee Adkins, Rick Malir, Youth of the Future, Wendy Ann Kramer.
Marker is on 126th Street, on the left when traveling north.
Courtesy hmdb.org
