Alumni Hall of Honor Randy Parker
By Madison Leak
Randy N. Parker’s life has been devoted to Utah agriculture whether on his family’s sheep operation, earning degrees in agribusiness and economics, leading the Utah Farm Bureau Federation, working with legislators, or advocating for rural Utah interests with the United States Department of Agriculture. Parker was born in Richfield, Utah, but grew up on a small farm his family moved to in Pleasant Grove. He quickly learned the value of hard work as the family built their registered Suffolk operation, “Parker Suffolks,” a provider of high-quality sheep genetics. He graduated from Utah State University with a bachelor’s degree in agribusiness in 1976 and a master’s degree in agricultural economics in 1978. He served for more than 12 years as the marketing and conservation director of the Utah Department of Agriculture and Food, developing markets for the state’s agricultural products
worldwide. Randy was the chief executive officer of the Utah Farm Bureau Federation from 2002 to 2017 and the organization’s vice president for national government affairs. He has always been a supportive voice for USU and CAAS initiatives as they are presented to legislators. Most recently, Parker was the USDA’s State of Utah Director of Rural Development, a position he was appointed to by President Donald Trump. The job allowed Parker to continue serving the people of Utah with his outstanding accrued knowledge, political, and administrative skills. Throughout Parker’s career he has made time to be involved with Utah State University and the College of Agriculture and Applied Sciences. Parker served for more than a decade on the college’s alumni council and has always been a supporter and friend to the College of Agriculture and
Randy Parker (right) with former U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue.
22 Cultivate Cultivate| Summer/Fall | Spring/Summer 2020 2021
Applied Sciences. Under his leadership, the Utah Farm Bureau began sponsoring the CAAS Senior Luncheon each spring for students about to graduate. The organization also annually provides three scholarships for CAAS students. Parker and his wife, Shelly, personally support an annual scholarship for an agriculture student. Parker was a founding committee member of the annual Utah Agricultural Products BBQ, a beloved tradition that showcases Utah products and funds CAAS scholarships. Parker currently co-chairs the event’s organizing committee. For his outstanding and steadfast service to all facets of Utah agriculture, the College of Agriculture and Applied Sciences is pleased to induct Randy Parker into its Alumni Hall of Honor. �
