Harold Parker Honored with Sagamore of the Wabash
Published: Friday, November 15, 2024
Approaching the end of his tenure as district director for Indiana Farm Bureau, Harold Parker was at a loss of words when local politicians and family members poured into a LaPorte County Farm Bureau meeting on the evening of Nov. 4.
Parker is not known for being quiet or shy, but his wife Jane said he was speechless upon seeing what was beginning to unfold. The surprise was that Parker would be receiving the Sagamore of the Wabash Award, the highest honor the governor of Indiana can bestow on individuals who have contributed to their communities or the state.
Back in August, State Sen. Mike Bohacek (R-Michiana Shores) contacted Parker's daughter, Denise Scarborough, to get some information for the nomination form. He called Nov. 1 to confirm that Parker's nomination had been accepted. A formal presentation was scheduled for the evening of Nov. 4, during the middle of the LaPorte County Farm Bureau board meeting.
"Harold didn't know anything about it," Jane said.
Also on hand were State Rep. Jim Pressel (R-Rolling Prairie), LaPorte County Council President Randy Novak and LaPorte County assessor Mike Schultz.
For the past nine years, Harold has served as a district director for Indiana Farm Bureau. Prior to that position, he filled the role of LaPorte County Farm Bureau president for seven years.
Parker and Jane live on a corn, soybean and tomato farm southwest of LaPorte. In addition to his Farm Bureau involvement, Parker serves on the LaPorte County plan commission and has been involved with the 4-H program for over 40 years. Jane is a retired school teacher.
Raised on a Porter County farm, Harold graduated from Ball State University and taught industrial arts at Hobart High School for two and a half years before deciding to return to farming. He and Jane got married, settled in LaPorte and raised two children. Their son Tom now runs the farming operation, while daughter Denise and her husband Mark are also LaPorte County farmers. Denise serves on the board of the Indiana Soybean Alliance.
During the Nov. 4 meeting, Denise was emotional as she took the microphone and described why her father was deserving of the award.
"Harold has been instrumental in connecting with legislative officials and keeping them up to date with agricultural issues," she said. "Parker has been a voice for agriculture and will continue to do so into the future, but thanks to his years of service and dedication, he has made an impact on Indiana agriculture."
On Facebook, Denise said, "The best part of the night was when my brother's family and my family walked into the meeting and Harold said, 'What is going on?' He had no clue about any of this and was very humbled and honored."
When asked to describe what the Sagamore of the Wabash award means to him, Harold said it's difficult to put his feelings into words, but he said it gives him a sense of both pride and humility.
"It took a lot of people to get me here," he said. "You've got to have people who are willing to listen to you, trust you."
At the top of that list is his wife, Jane. She and Harold will celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary next July. Another supporter is Dave Scarborough, who brought Harold onto the LaPorte County Farm Bureau board many years ago.
Harold's term as District 1 director ends at the conclusion of the INFB state convention next month. After that, he will continue to serve on the county plan commission and also watch his grandchildren as they compete in 4-H.
He said his life has been filled with many positive experiences and added that leaving his Farm Bureau position will be "a hard coat to take off."
"I'm not the brightest candle in the bunch, but I've been through a lot of experiences that have taught me everything," he said.
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