AWARD-Shown presenting the hall of fame award to J.D. Brooks (second from right) is Linda Ford (far right). Also pictured are (from left) Mike Corn and Lorraine Brooks. Corn and Ford helped nominate Brooks and conducted the induction ceremony.

Brooks inducted into hall of fame

When most people think of a "Hall of Fame,” agriculture isn't the first thing to come to mind. But for Johnny Dale "J.D.” Brooks, agriculture has been his life's work.

Brooks, a native son who is most recently well known locally for his volunteer work with dairy judging teams, was inducted into the Western North Carolina Agriculture Hall of Fame in May.

Brooks was recognized for his more than 32-year career in agriculture as an extension agent in the far western part of the state, centering on Asheville. "This really was unexpected,” he said of the award, "especially after having been gone from up there for 10 years.”

He said most of the people who have been inducted in the past were rich and famous, like George Vanderbilt, founder of the Biltmore farm.

"I've always held that award in high esteem.... I look through the list of people who have received it and I'm amazed that I was even nominated, much less selected. I'm very humbled and very thankful.”

Brooks said people often set 'totem poles' in their minds, relative to their rank in society. "No one as low as me on the pole has ever been inducted,” he said with a laugh.

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