Cumberland County Cooperative Extension is pleased to announce that Alfred Davenport has been selected as the 2020 Agricultural Hall of Fame Inductee. Davenport began his career with Cumberland County Cooperative Extension in 1974 as an Extension agent. Selected as one of the top seven agriculture agents in 1979, he was honored for his work in horticulture, forestry, and 4-H. In 1980 Davenport transitioned to work exclusively with horticulture.
A pioneer in the promotion and adaptation of the use of black plastic and drip irrigation, he promoted the use of this technology with numerous on-site demonstrations through the county, becoming the local expert on drip irrigation.
Drip irrigation is an efficient, water-saving irrigation technique. Used in conjunction with black plastic, drip irrigation typically increases crop yields two to three times greater than conventional irrigation methods while reducing water usage.
A longtime agriculture supporter, Davenport, continued to serve the farming community for many years by serving as a member of the Farm Service Agency Board where his vast knowledge of producing vegetable crops proved to be an asset.
Retiring from North Carolina Cooperative Extension in 1992, Davenport was greatly appreciated and respected among the agriculture community. Davenport is from the Seventy-First area of western Cumberland County.
Due to COVID, the annual Farm City event and Hall of Fame ceremony, hosted by the Kiwanis Club of Fayetteville, will be postponed. Davenport will officially be inducted into the Cumberland County Agricultural Hall of Fame in November of 2021.
“It is an honor to recognize Mr. Alfred Davenport's outstanding leadership and contributions to agriculture,” said Cooperative Extension Director Lisa Childers. “He was a pioneer in vegetable production and bringing new innovations to farmers. His contributions over the years have had a significant impact on Cumberland County agriculture.”