CORVALLIS - The Rev. Dominic Broxmeyer of St. Benedict, Herman Goschie and Paul Mann of Silverton, and Robert Humphreys of Sublimity are among the 28 men and women recently recognized as 1998 Diamond Pioneers by the Oregon State University College of Agricultural Sciences.

They will be added to the college's Diamond Pioneer Registry that honors those 75 and older for their contributions to agriculture and natural resources. The registry started in 1983 when the college observed its 75th anniversary.

Broxmeyer was cited for his work with the Mt. Angel Abbey farm and forest lands from 1948 to 1976, developing an outstanding dairy herd as well as a diversified farming operation. He was the first Oregon hop grower to establish a stationary picking machine. The Abbey stopped its farming operation in 1976 and the land is now leased to area farmers.

Goschie helped found and later chaired the Oregon Hop Commission. He began farming in 1940 and currently farms with his wife and their four children. He is involved in many community and state organizations, has served as president of both the Oregon and national hop growers associations, and in 1981 was recognized for his work with the International Order of the Hop. He is also a past director of the Hop Growers Fire Relief Association and the Silverton Rural Fire District, a founding member of the Silverton Hospital Foundation and served on the Silverton Planning Commission.

Mann purchased property northwest of Silverton in 1945 to start Abiqua Acres Dairy with ten Guernsey cows. He started working in 1949 with the Oregon Dairy Breeders Cooperative, later called All West-Select Sires, and continued with the cooperative for ten years. Mann has judged Oregon's "Dairy of Honor" program for 12 years and was honored by the Oregon Dairy Farmers Association in 1991 with its Community Service award.

Humphreys was born and raised on the family's Century Farm in the Waldo Hills, growing grass seed, grain, hay, cattle and sheep. He is a past president of the Oregon Seed Growers League and a past chair of the Highland Bentgrass Commission. He also is a past president of the Oregon Agricultural and Research Advisory Council, served on the Oregon Board of Agriculture, has held many offices in the Grange, and has been involved in many educational activities.

Source: 

Judy Modrell, 541-737-5822

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