The second annual Honorees Dinner to introduce the 2009 inductees to the Arizona Farming & Ranching Hall of Fame will be held Feb. 28. The Hall of Fame, part of the Heritage Center at Lakin Farm which will open in 2012, recognizes pioneers in the agricultural field for their contributions to the industry. Each honoree has spent a lifetime in agriculture in Arizona. Their contributions have paved the way for those who have followed in their footsteps.

The 2009 Honorees are: Norman and Mildred Hale of Scottsdale; Howard Wuertz of Coolidge; Earl Petznick, Sr. of Phoenix; Miguel Torres of Parker; Bill & Gertie Hickman of Buckeye; Scott Morrison of Gilbert; R. Keith Walden of Sahuarita (deceased) and Orval A Knox of Chandler (deceased). Agricultural writer Ernie Douglas of Phoenix (deceased) will be recognized for his Special Contribution to Farming and Ranching in Arizona. The Arizona Farming & Ranch Hall of Fame Honoree’s Dinner will be held on Saturday, Feb. 28, at CJS Western Film Studios, 2005 North 103rd Ave. in Avondale beginning at 5:30 p.m. For information and reservations please call Susan at the Southwest Valley Chamber of Commerce at (623) 932-2260.