The 2026 inductees to the Mid-Columbia Agriculture Hall of Fame will be honored at a dinner and installation gala at the Three Rivers Convention Center on Thursday, January 15, 2026, presented by the Pasco Chamber of Commerce and the Port of Pasco.

This is the 25^th year Hall of Fame honors have been awarded to Mid-Columbia farmers, families and agribusiness leaders in Franklin County and neighboring Mid-Columbia counties. The new inductees are being recognized for their outstanding contributions to agriculture and agribusiness in three categories. These are the categories and the inductees for 2026:

The Mid-Columbia Ag Hall of Fame Pioneer Award honors individuals who have had a significant influence on the development of agriculture and unselfishly served their communities. This year, we honor Fred & Lura Harris. 

Fred and Lura were the epitome of an agriculture pioneer in the region. Fred arrived in the area as a young boy in a covered wagon, and set up Diversity Farm on what is now the Port of Pasco’s Big Pasco. In 1942 the Federal Government requested their land to build the Army Reconsignment Depot, and the Harris family had 30 days to vacate. Fred would ride his horse up and down the Columbia River in the early morning and late in the evening seeking where the warm and cold air currents were located and settled on a location at the west end of Court Street. They continued their operation for decades and family continued the Harris Farm tradition to 2019. Lura passed away in 1971 and Fred in 1989.

The Agriculture Advisor Award is given to two individuals who have had a significant impact in ag-advancement and educational programs and similar organizations influencing the industry through leadership, guidance and community involvement. This year the honor goes to Kara Kaelber and Mike Meads.

Kara has been a driving force for agricultural and conservation education in the Mid-Columbia Region and beyond for two decades. Kara’s signature story is one of connection – between people, landscapes and knowledge. Under her leadership, programs like Wheat Week, have reached tens of thousands of fourth and fifth grade students.

Mike Meads was such an influential, positive figure in the Columbia Basin ag industry and had a passion for supporting youth in agriculture. He was an 4-H leader and was eager to help organize youth leadership events in agriculture whenever he was asked. Mike unexpectedly passed away in January of 2024.

The Impact Award Honors Ag-related Professionals or farmers that are actively displaying exemplary community involvement and are enhancing agribusiness through leadership or technology development. This year the honor goes to Steve Lancaster and Mike Poulson.

Steve Lancaster has been in banking for over 40 years helping many family farm operations. Steve places faith, vision and support for all his clients to ensure success and helped many farms achieve their dreams. Steve grew up in agriculture near Basin City and still has passion for it today. Steve has also served as a board member for the Benton Franklin Fair and Rodeo and was the past president of the board 2007-2008. 

Mike Poulson transitioned from farmer to advocating on behalf of the ag industry starting in the 1990’s. He spent countless miles on the road either in Olympia or Washington, D.C. communicating complex and often controversial environmental issues to our representatives and to the public. Mike has the knack to bring people and groups together to listen and to find common ground for the betterment of the agriculture industry. Mike served as Vice President of the Washington State Farm Bureau and consultant to Congresswoman Cathy McMorris-Rodgers.