For the first time in history, no one will be inducted into the Kent Agricultural Hall of Fame this year due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Kent Agricultural Hall of Fame Association board of directors has opted to cancel the 2020 induction ceremony because of the current pandemic and furthermore will not announce any inductees for this year. Chairperson Peter Hansel said this is a first for them and although the decision was not an easy one to make, it was necessary. The first induction ceremony was held on November 29, 1989.
Hensel said there's too much uncertainty regarding the COVID-19 situation to go on with the scheduled ceremony, which is typically held in November of each year. He also mentioned it wouldn't be fair to induct people into the Hall of Fame this year and not celebrate it with the local agricultural community.
"We feel this is in the best interest of the health and safety of the people who would be involved in the induction [process]," he said. "We feel very bad about it."
Hansel said nominations submitted for 2020 will be carried over to next year. The committee will review nominations and hope to proceed with the announcements and planned ceremony in 2021.
Nominations for future inductions can be submitted throughout the year. Nomination forms can be found online or residents can also contact the association's secretary, Kathryn Vanek at (519) 683-2929.