Five industry leaders join the 2024 Virginia Livestock Hall of Fame
Their portraits will be permanently displayed at the Virginia Tech Alphin-Stuart Livestock Arena in Blacksburg.
Five outstanding Virginians who made significant contributions to the state’s livestock industry are the newest members of the Virginia Livestock Hall of Fame.
They were inducted during a ceremony on Oct. 25 at Virginia Tech’s Alphin-Stuart Livestock Arena, where their portraits were hung and will remain on display.
Since the Virginia Livestock Hall of Fame was established in 2009, it has honored 93 Virginians for their impact on the state’s beef, sheep, dairy, pork, and horse industries. Inductees are nominated by the Virginia Cattlemen’s Association, Virginia Pork Industry Association, Virginia Sheep Producers Association, Virginia State Dairymen’s Association, and Virginia Horse Council, and can be living or deceased.
The following are the 2024 inductees:
Margie Ann Dick (1936-2024) of Warrenton played a pivotal role in Virginia’s dairy industry through her lifelong dedication to Holstein cattle and her leadership in the Virginia Holstein Association. As secretary and treasurer of the association from 1979-2014, she advocated for Virginia's dairy farmers and represented Virginia at the state and national levels. She was also actively involved in supporting dairy youth activities from local fairs to the National Holstein convention. Dick was nominated by the Virginia State Dairyman’s Association.
Clay Hewitt (1931-2024) of Swoope served as president of Staunton Union Stockyards from 1980-2019. He was widely known for his steadfast support of producers and tireless work on their behalf to honestly and fairly represent their livestock to provide the highest price possible. He was passionate in his support for local 4-H and FFA youth, and Staunton Union Stockyards supported the Augusta County Market Animal Show and Sale for over 70 years. Hewitt was nominated by the Virginia Cattlemen's Association.
William David Lamb (1945-2023) of Gordonsville was a premier horseman and industry leader. Along with wife, Sally, he owned and operated Oakland Heights Farm in Gordonsville as a center of education for the equine industry, where he worked with youth and adults on horsemanship and Western culture. The Lambs were local 4-H leaders for more than 25 years. Lamb was instrumental in the founding of the Virginia Horse Council and was a member for more than 40 years. He was nominated by the Virginia Horse Council.
Corey Childs
Clay "Corey" Childs (1963-2024) of Berryville dedicated his career to education and service as a Virginia Cooperative Extension agent for 34 years. He impacted thousands of adults and youth through his passion for 4-H and FFA programs and through his love for showing, breeding, and promoting sheep. With his wife of 36 years, Janet, Childs bred competitive show lambs, stud rams, and breeding ewes for more than three decades. He provided leadership to the Virginia Sheep Producers Association, VSPA Seedstock Council, Virginia Sheep Industry Board, State Fair, and many others. His many awards include the Outstanding Virginia Shepherd Award and Excellence in Extension Award from the Virginia Tech College of Agriculture and Life Sciences Alumni Association. He was nominated by the Virginia Sheep Producers Association.
Mark Estienne of Suffolk is a professor at Virginia Tech’s Tidewater Agricultural Research and Extension Center whose research and Extension career has directly benefited the pork industry in Virginia and beyond. His research in swine reproductive physiology has not only addressed relevant industry issues but also enhanced pork production on a national and international scale. Estienne has received Outstanding Service Awards from the Lower Shore Pork Producers, Maryland Pork Producers, and Virginia Pork Industry Association. He was nominated by the Virginia Pork Council.
