Albemarle Fair honors agricultural achievers

By: Daily Progress Staff Reports | The Daily Progress
Published: July 31, 2008

The Albemarle County Fair Board honored the following people for their agricultural achievements:

CATTLE. Paul Grinde for his work in the field of genetics and cattle management. Grinde is noted for developing prominent bulls of the Aberdeen Angus breed. He also served as president of the Virginia Angus Association.

EQUINE. The late Sallie Wheeler. Wheeler, along with her husband, trained championship horses and averaged between 200 and 300 blue ribbons per year at horse shows. The American Horse Shows Association named Wheeler “Horsewoman of the Year” in 1987.

VITICULTURE. Felicia Rogan, the owner of Oakencroft, Albemarle County’s oldest winery. Virginia honored Rogan with the state’s highest industry award in 1995 of “Outstanding Achievement for the Support of the Wine Industry.”

HORTICULURE. Duane Snow, who helped expand Snow’s Garden and Landscape Center of Charlottesville. Since 1950, the Snow family has hosted “Snow Knows,” a radio show that offers horticultural advice.

PRODUCE. Henry Chiles, owner of the Crown Orchard Co., which operates several orchards in Central Virginia. Chiles is a former president of the National Peach Council.

CONSERVATION. Ann Taylor, who recently was appointed executive vice president of the Thomas Jefferson Foundation. Taylor accepted the award on behalf of Monticello for its conservation and preservation efforts.

LIVESTOCK. Jo Ann and Paige McGrath, owners and operators of Lower Sherwood farm. The McGraths have been raising llamas on their farm since 1986. They began showing their llamas in 1988 and have been winning championships ever since.

FRIENDS OF AGRICULTURE. Fred Scott, who works to support environmentally conscious development and land preservation.