The Agricultural Relations Council (ARC) just announced the inaugural inductees to the new Agricultural Public Relations Hall of Fame which is sponsored by ARC and AgriMarketing Magazine. They are Don Lerch, founding member of the Agricultural Relations Council, and Lyle Orwig.
The two will be honored at the ARC Annual Meeting, scheduled for March 22-23 in Charleston, SC. The induction ceremony will be Friday evening, March 23. The board of directors of the Agricultural Relations Council (ARC) approved creation of the first agricultural hall of fame for public relations to recognize individuals for lifetime achievement this past year.
“Don Lerch and Lyle Orwig epitomize what agricultural public relations is all about,” said Mace Thornton, ARC board president. “Both men have exhibited a true dedication to agriculture and to upholding the invaluable role that professional communicators play in making our industry strong. They have helped pave the way, through example, for all of use who work in ag PR.”
Lerch was one of 20+ people who met in Chicago nearly 60 years ago to discuss improving the image of American agriculture. The end result was what today is the ARC. His 66-year career involved ag customer outreach, farm broadcasting for CBS, among others, and his own PR firm in Washington, D.C.
Orwig has spent nearly four decades involved in agricultural publishing and ag communications at numerous organizations. He co-founded Charleston│Orwig in 1992, an agency that focuses on building strong voices for agricultural brands.
“We are thrilled to recognize these winners,” said Lynn Henderson, Agri Marketing magazine publisher and award sponsor. “This new award program for ag PR professionals who have distinguished themselves and promoted this profession is long overdue.”