A Logan County native was recently honored for her achievements in the agriculture industry with her induction into the Farm Credit Colorado Agriculture Hall of Fame for 2022.
Beth Smith LaShell, an 1980 Indian Lake High School graduate and class valedictorian, currently serves as the coordinator of more than 6,000 acres at the Old Fort for Fort Lewis College. She manages the cattle and hay production located at the San Juan Basin Research Center in Hesperus, Colo.
Also, as the originator of the Farmer-in-Training program there, she trains beginning farmers in vegetable and fruit production and financial management.
A daughter of Nevin and Peggy Smith of Bellefontaine, she was born and raised on a diversified grain, cattle and sheep operation. Her father was a full-time farmer who was a previous member of the Indian Lake Board of Education and was active in the Logan Soil & Water Conservation District and the American Legion. Her mother served as a Riverside Schools business teacher.
LaShell and three other honorees were recognized at the 2022 Hall of Fame Banquet on March 2.
After her graduation from ILHS, LaShell attended The Ohio State University to study animal science. She also served as a state sentinel for the Ohio FFA from 1980-1981. At OSU, she was a member of the 1982 meats judging team and the 1983 livestock judging team.
She graduated from OSU in 1984, and went on further her education at Colorado State University. While there, she worked for the CSU Animal Science Department, teaching upper division genetics courses.
In the late 1980s, she published her first article in Beef Magazine and began working for the American Sheep Association. LaShell also developed 4-H and FFA curriculum that was utilized by the ASI.
During 1993, the ILHS graduate began coaching the La Plata County Livestock judging teams and the teams competed at the American Royal in FFA Division and won trips to Scotland.
Since 1994, 33 4-H members, who were members on her team, have received at least one year of college on a livestock judging scholarship.
LaShell is married to Bill, and they are the parents to two daughters and have a grandson.