(1942 – 2024)
Gregg Hodges said his “highest honor” was serving the people of Madison County, MS, and the communities in Franklin, Etowah, and Cullman counties in Alabama. “Extension is somewhat like the wind; it may not be visible, but the process and results are.”
Gregg’s first exposure to Extension was through 4-H. Larry McNutt, 4-H Agent, enrolled him in a Treflan demonstration with pimento peppers. He received the first state pimento pepper production award for having the top yield of more than five tons per acre in 1959. The pepper project earned him a trip to the Fontana Resource Development Conference for you in Fontana, NC.
Gregg earned a Bachelor’s Degree of Animal Science and a Master’s degree of Extension Education from Mississippi State University. He later received an Ed.S. Degree in Education and Supervision from University of Alabama, Gadsden Center.
He was a driving force in the development of the Cullman County Agricultural trade Center. He was also involved in the Farm-City program which received the National Award for rural development in 1983.
Gregg participated in a humanitarian USDA project requested by Polish authorities. He served from June 1991 to December 1991 after the removal of the Berlin Wall. He was part of a two-man team whose primary focus the agricultural sector. While there, Gregg organized the first 4-H Club in Poland and was also responsible for organizing a Chamber of Commerce for industry in Leszno, Poland. This action opened the door to new economics development in the western corridor of Poland.
In October 1999, Gregg was listed among the Top 100 citizens of Cullman County Leaders of the 20th Century for Agriculture representation.
He retired from Extension after almost 37 years but continued to serve the community and church. He was a faithful visitor to homebound friends, often bringing oranges, shortbread cookies, or flowers cut from his garden. He enjoyed the chance to sit and encourage, to laugh and share the latest local news
In recognition of his years of service, the name of Raymond Gregg Hodges is inscribed on the dedicatory plaque of the Extension Memorial Chapel.
Chapel Plaque Inscription Number 678
