Ag Advocate Gene Hemphill Passes Away at 80

Gene Hemphill, a longtime agricultural communicator and industry advocate, passed away on March 23 at age 80. Raised on a grain farm in Illinois, Hemphill began his career in journalism. Hemphill later served as a spokesperson and speechwriter for President Ronald Reagan and Agriculture Secretary John Block. In 1987, he joined New Holland and worked in a public relations role until his retirement in 2009. Hemphill was a longtime allied industry and honorary member of NAFB.