By utilizing sound water management and conservation theories, Dr. Sheffield significantly impacted the development of Nebraska’s agricultural economy through irrigation practices. During his Superintendent tenure at the North Platte Experiment Station, he established the Sandhills Agricultural Laboratory at Tryon. After joining IANR, Dr. Les Sheffield conducted irrigation tours that highlighted the importance of center pivot irrigation.
I am deeply honored to deliver this tribute to our Honoree tonight. Dr. Leslie Sheffield possesses some very distinguishing characteristics that makes it difficult for one to be brief:
* He is extremely thorough and detailed. If you ever took one of his irrigation tours, you know he made every minute count.
* He is thrifty. You know what I mean if you have ever received one of his letters! He utilizes every square inch of space and sometimes both sides of the page.
* He is punctual and conscientious. Very few people will take greater pains to have everything perfect. I am told he exhibited some distress if the tour got off schedule, by even a few minutes!
* He is dedicated and committed. That was clearly demonstrated today by the fact that he was released from the hospital this morning following treatment for a kidney stone and he is here tonight.
Based on these distinguishing characteristics, there is no way one can adequately cover Dr. Sheffield's illustrious career to his satisfaction in the time allotted. However, I am delighted to at least cover a few of the highlights. Tonight, we are honoring an individual who significantly impacted development of the Nebraska agricultural economy. He is affectionately known as "Mr. Irrigation" because of the profound influence he has had on what our State is today and what it will be for generations to come. Growing up in Frontier County during the drought years of the 1930's gave Dr. Sheffield a keen interest and appreciation for sound water management and the conservation of our natural resources.
Following his service in the U.S. Army during World War II, Les enrolled at UNL and eventually earned his B.S. in Agronomy and his M.S. and Ph.D. in Agricultural Economics. He wrote the first Ph.D. thesis on center pivot irrigation. With this background, it is easy to understand why Les made such a mark on the agricultural economy of Nebraska.
Les began his career as a Veteran Agriculture Instructor at North Platte. He became acquainted with Harold Stevens and the next thing we know he had a Dawson County "passport" and was training to be an Extension Agent. He then served as Colfax County Extension Agent before becoming an Extension Agronomist and Executive Secretary of the Nebraska Grain Improvement Association. This experience opened the door for him to become the first Chief of the newly created Nebraska Wheat commission in 1956.
Les must have concluded that "the wheat was greener across the border in Kansas," because he spent two years as the Executive Secretary of Great Plains Wheat, Inc., in Garden City. Dean Frolik "rescued" him and brought him back to Nebraska in 1961 as Assistant to the Dean and also Foreign Student Advisor in the Office of Student Affairs.
In 1966, he assumed the role of Superintendent at the North Platte Experiment Station. While at North Platte, the influence of his leadership in irrigation first becomes clearly evident. The University's water research program at the station expanded and he established the Sandhills Agricultural Laboratory at Tryon during his tenure as Superintendent. In 1971, he returned to Lincoln to head up the Nebraska Irrigation Development Program.
In 1975, the year after IANR was established, Les became the Assistant to the Vice Chancellor of IANR and Extension Irrigation Economist. Woody Varner borrowed him part time for four years as a fund raiser for IANR at the NU Foundation. Woody Varner also played a key role in Les becoming recognized for his Irrigation Tours. With Woody Varner's assistance and encouragement, Les organized and conducted a very successful irrigation tour during the extremely dry summer of 1974. That successful adventure resulted in Les organizing 22 tours with 2,868 participants by 1993 for the Nebraska Water Conference Council. Richard Hahn, Mike Jess and Dayle Williamson served as Council Tour Chairs over the years, and I am sure each could share some very interesting insights and experiences as a result of their association with Les.
In 1988, Les joined the IANR Water Center as Coordinator for Outreach Programs and served in that capacity until he retired in 1994 with over 38 years of Distinguished Service to the University of Nebraska.
Les is internationally recognized for his professional expertise that took him as a consultant to 38 countries. He also is active in a wide range of organizations and the recipient of numerous prestigious awards for his distinguished service and contributions. Some of the more recent awards include:
* Nebraska Water Conference Pioneer Irrigation Award
* Headgate Award from the Four States Irrigation Council
* Irrigation Award of Commitment from the Nebraska State Irrigation and Water Resources Association
* Nebraska Groundwater Foundation Award for Exceptional Services Towards the Conservation and Management of Nebraska's Groundwater Resources
* Distinguished Service Award from the Nebraska Chapter of American Chapter of Farm Managers and Rural Appraisers
* He was named Irrigation Man of the Year by the National Irrigation Association
He received many other distinguished honors too numerous to mention here tonight.
Les' family has always played a very important part of his life. He married Dottie Fenimore on August 20, 1947, and together they raised three children and have four grandchildren. A little later, Les will introduce members of his family who are here tonight.
The Nebraska Hall of Agricultural Achievement is honored to recognize Dr. Leslie F. Sheffield for his distinguished leadership in irrigation development in Nebraska and around the world. He has positively impacted the lives of many through his significant contributions as: an educator; a motivator; a humanitarian; and a good will ambassador. Few individuals can hold claim to personally knowing more people than Les Sheffield! It is a distinct honor to present to you, our 1996 Honoree, Dr. Les Sheffield.
