(03/01/24) BATON ROUGE, La. — A medical doctor and former U.S. congressman, a crop consultant with a weed science background and a longtime Southern University administrator are the latest inductees into the Louisiana Agriculture Hall of Distinction. The induction will take place at the L’Auberge Hotel in Baton Rouge March 7.

The inductees are Dr. Ralph Abraham, of Archibald; Steve Crawford, a crop consultant from Sicily Island; and Leodrey Williams, who served as the chancellor of the Southern University Agricultural Research Center from 2001 to 2015.

A joint effort of the LSU AgCenter, Louisiana Radio Network, Louisiana Farm Bureau Federation and Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry, the Louisiana Agriculture Hall of Distinction honors individuals who have made significant contributions to agriculture or agriculture-related industries. Previous inductees have represented farming, ranching, forestry, aquaculture, education and agribusiness.

Abraham grew up on a farm in Richland Parish. It was there that he learned he had an affinity for caring for animals. This skill led him on the pathway to being a veterinarian for 10 years.

Seeing a need for medical care in his rural community, Abraham embarked on a second career — becoming a medical doctor. Upon completion of medical school, he opened a family medical practice, and he still maintains that office today in Rayville.

Abraham had a calling to serve people, and he took that calling a step further. In 2014, he ran for Congress in the Fifth District of Louisiana, the largest agricultural district in the nation. He was successful in his campaign and served from 2015 to 2021.

One of the most important pieces of legislation he helped craft and get passed was the 2018 farm bill. He believes that having a strong and secure agricultural sector is just as vital as national defense.

Abraham currently serves as the secretary of the Louisiana Department of Health.

Crawford grew up on a farm along the banks of the Tensas River in Catahoula Parish. He graduated from Louisiana Tech University, and his first job was with Louisiana Power and Light in New Orleans. By chance, he found out he had been accepted into graduate school at LSU. He earned his master’s degree and worked on the Baton Rouge campus in agricultural engineering.

When he got the opportunity to move to the LSU AgCenter Northeast Research Station in St. Joseph, Crawford took it. It was here that Crawford began his work that earned him a reputation as an expert in weed science.

For nearly 25 years, Crawford helped develop effective weed control, plant growth regulators and harvest aids for cotton, corn, soybeans and rice. His stated goal was to increase the profitability and productivity of farmers across the South.

Upon retirement from the AgCenter, Crawford started a crop consultant business that oversees nearly 40,000 acres of crops in northeast Louisiana. At 78, Crawford is still actively serving his clientele and improving their bottom lines.

Williams was born in Wilkinson County, Mississippi, and his family later moved across the state line into West Feliciana Parish. Growing up, agriculture was part of his daily routine, so it was no surprise that he was drawn toward a career in it.

One of his earliest job assignments found him working in north Louisiana, primarily with cotton and soybean farmers. Because of the economic conditions, Williams felt that farmers also should seek supplemental forms of income. He worked tirelessly with farmers in the area to grow vegetable gardens for both home use and commercial sales.

For more than 20 years, Williams served as the administrator of the Southern University Cooperative Extension program. He also had a federal appointment with the U.S. Department of Agriculture from 1993 to 1995.

In 2001, Williams became the leader of the newest campus of the Southern University system, the Southern University Agricultural Research and Extension Center. He served as chancellor of the campus until his retirement in 2015.

In total, Williams has spent more than 50 years working for the betterment of agriculture in Louisiana and abroad.

For more information regarding the Louisiana Agriculture Hall of Distinction event, contact Robyn Dow with the Louisiana Radio Network at 225-291-2727 or office@louisianaradionetwork.com.

Dr. Ralph Abraham, a former veterinarian and U.S. Congressman who currently serves as the secretary of the Louisiana Department of Health, will be inducted into the Louisiana Agriculture Hall of Distinction March 7 at the L’Auberge Hotel in Baton Rouge. During his time in Congress, he played an instrumental in helping farmers through the passage of the 2018 farm bill. Photo provided by Louisiana Radio Network

Leodrey Williams, a longtime Southern University administrator, will be inducted into the Louisiana Agriculture Hall of Distinction March 7 at the L’Auberge Hotel in Baton Rouge. Williams started his career as an extension agent. He rose through the ranks and was the administrator of the Southern University Cooperative Extension program for more than 20 years. In 2001, he was appointed chancellor of the Southern University Agricultural Research and Extension Center until his 2015 retirement. Photo provided by Louisiana Radio Network