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CORVALLIS - John Shipley and Donald Thompson of Moro; John R. Thienes and Eldon Wagenblast, The Dalles; and Everett Metzentine, Wamic, were honored as Diamond Pioneers Tuesday, Oct. 14, at Oregon State University.

These five are among the 41 men and women who were added to the Diamond Pioneer Agricultural Achievement Registry of the OSU College of Agricultural Sciences. The 2003 inductees were guests at a luncheon hosted by Dean Thayne Dutson at the CH2M HILL Alumni Center. John V. Byrne, OSU president emeritus and a fellow 2003 Diamond Pioneer, was the guest speaker.

John Shipley was recognized for his conservation efforts in his wheat and cattle operation from which he semi-retired in 1988. Conservation work on his place included a residue mulching system, planting grass on shallow lands and strip cropping.

The former 4-H leader is a past president of the Sherman County Wheat League and a past director of the local Soil and Water Conservation District. He is an active volunteer for the Sherman County Museum and Historical Society.

Don Thompson farmed for 30 years before turning the operation over to the next generation. The Oregon Wheat League named him and his son, Ron, the 1982 Conservation Farmers of the Year. Don is a past president.

Thompson was state director of the old USDA Agricultural Stabilization and Conservation Service (ASCS) from 1981-86. In 1987 he was named northwest director of ASCS, now part of the Farm Service Administration. From 1990-93 he was director of the Farmers Home Administration in Oregon.

John Thienes started his career with the OSU Extension Service in Coos County in 1952. He moved to the Wasco County Extension office in 1957, retiring in 1981. He then worked part-time as a field man with The Dalles Cherry Growers, now part of the Oregon Cherry Growers organization. He retired again in 1992.

As a Wasco County Extension agent, Thienes worked closely with the cherry industry to bring water to orchards in The Dalles district through the formation of an irrigation district. Water changed the industry, resulting in denser planting and cover crops to reduce erosion.

Eldon Wagenblast was cited for his long-time support of FFA and 4-H, dating back to the time when he was a charter member of The Dalles High School FFA chapter. While farming, he was active in the Wasco County wheat growers and livestock associations.

Active in area historical organizations, Wagenblast volunteers at the National Oregon Trail Interpretative Center and serves on the Oregon Trail Advisory Council. He is past chair and director of the Trail Tenders Association in Baker County.

Everett Metzentine is also active in historical programs. He founded the Dufur Threshing Bee in 1970, which features wheat harvesting the old fashioned way. For many years he demonstrated wheel making at the event. He has selectively cut, cured and used oak from his home place for wagons he has restored or built from scratch. A former director of the Wasco County Soil and Water Conservation District, Metzentine farmed for more than 60 years in the Wamic area. He uses draft horses to selectively log on his place. He is an active member of the Wamic Grange.

The registry was started by the college in observance of its 75th anniversary to honor those 75 years and older for their contributions to agriculture, their communities and OSU. Since its beginning, 746 persons have been honored, including this year's group.

The Extension staffs in Wasco and Sherman counties nominated the five being honored. The Wasco County Soil and Water Conservation District joined in nominating Metzentine.

Others honored are Virginia Tubbs, Adams; Fred Warner, Baker City; Kenneth Beebe, Central Point; Don B. Anderson, Cornelius; Alfred Haunold, John V. Byrne, Charles Leach, William McGuire, H. Joe Myers, Burdette Peterson, Roger Peterson and Dale Weber, Corvallis.

Peter Jensen, Halsey; Vincent D. Dobbin and Glen Grossen, Hillsboro; Ralph Hart, Island City; Arlene Oliver, John Day; Andrew Greeley, Jordan Valley; Harold Youngberg, Keizer; James Elings and James Kerns, Klamath Falls; Keith Gressley, Isao Kameshige and William Panike, Ontario.

Robert Ramig and Virgil Rupp, Pendleton; David Lowry, Phoenix; H. Ronald Cameron, Portland; Len Forster and Floyd Smith, Shedd; Don Grabe, Sisters; Carl Froude and Beverly Froude, Tigard; Carl and Irene Bosch, Tillamook; and John Bishop, Vale.