The National Agricultural Hall of Fame will induct three individuals this fall whose work has significantly shaped American agriculture—antique tractor preservationist Michael Hinton of Hutchinson, former U.S. Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue, and pork industry innovator Wendell Murphy. The ceremony will take place Oct. 23 at the National Agricultural Center in Bonner Springs.
Chartered by Congress in 1960, the Agricultural Hall of Fame honors those who have made outstanding national or international contributions to the advancement of agriculture. Previous inductees include such figures as Sen. Pat Roberts, Eli Whitney, George Washington Carver, and John Deere.
Honoring a Hutchinson Preservationist
Hinton, known nationally for his dedication to preserving vintage tractors and the stories they carry, founded Antique Tractor Preservation Day and created TalkingTractors.com in 2024, a platform celebrating the heritage of rural life and agricultural innovation.
His efforts have earned multiple Kansas Governor Proclamations—in 2025, 2024, 2012, 2011, and 2010—along with two U.S. Congressional Record Statements and four USPS Pictorial Postmarks recognizing Antique Tractor Preservation Day.
Through his preservation and storytelling work, Hinton has brought global attention to the enduring spirit of American farmers. “It’s about storytelling, stewardship, and strengthening the bond between generations,” the Hall of Fame release noted. “He works to honor those who labored in the fields, advanced American farming, and embodied the values of hard work, innovation, and community.”
National Leaders in Agriculture
Also being honored is Sonny Perdue, who served as U.S. Secretary of Agriculture from 2017 to 2021. During his tenure, he established the first Under Secretary for Trade and Foreign Agricultural Affairs to open global markets for American farmers, expanded food programs during the COVID-19 pandemic, and advanced rural broadband initiatives. Perdue now serves as chancellor of the University System of Georgia, overseeing agricultural research, education, and the creation of the 250-acre UGA Grand Farm research facility.
Wendell Murphy, of Rose Hill, North Carolina, transformed modern pork production. Through Murphy Farms, founded in 1962, he pioneered contract feeding systems, confinement technology, and genetics programs that revolutionized pork production nationwide. His innovations in nutrition, biosecurity, and efficiency remain industry standards.
For more information about the inductees or the October 23 ceremony, visit www.AgHallofFame.com