2025 AWARD RECIPIENTS
Honoring those who have shaped excellence…
Whether it’s the dedicated 20-year club secretary, the breeder who has provided countless people with their start, or the mentor who has freely shared time and knowledge, this award honors those whose efforts have strengthened and inspired our community.
Living Honorees
Art Lundgren
A Lifetime of Excellence in the Fancy
Art’s dedication to the poultry hobby spans more than five decades, a career marked by extraordinary achievements and unwavering commitment to the advancement of the fancy. His presence in the showroom for over 50 years reflects not only a passion for exhibition poultry but also a level of excellence recognized at the highest levels of both the APA and ABA.
In 1996, Art was honored by the American Poultry Association, and two decades later, in 2016, he was inducted as only the seventh individual into the prestigious APA Hall of Fame. His influence has also been celebrated by the American Bantam Association, where he holds lifetime membership and was named the seventh recipient of the ABA Lifetime Achievement Award, amassing an impressive 32,075 points. These accolades stand as testaments to his enduring impact on the poultry community.
Art’s skill as a breeder is equally distinguished. He earned the title of Master Breeder for White Calls in 1994, Gray Calls in 1996, Black East Indies in 2000, White Wyandottes in 2004, and Black Wyandottes in 2013. Such achievements demonstrate not only exceptional ability across multiple breeds but also a sustained commitment to refining and advancing poultry over decades. His standing as an ABA Master Exhibitor further cements his reputation for consistent excellence in the showroom.
Art’s career embodies the values of dedication, mastery, and leadership that this award seeks to honor. His lifetime of accomplishments, combined with his tireless devotion to the hobby, makes him a most deserving recipient of this recognition.
Lewis Cunningham
Mentor, Teacher, and Champion of the Fancy
Lewis has been an invaluable mentor whose influence has shaped the growth and success of young exhibitors within the poultry community.
Over the years, Lewis has been a trusted source of answers and inspiration, always willing to teach and emphasize the importance of patience, deeper study, and broader understanding—especially in areas that were less familiar or more challenging. His mentoring style reflects both wisdom and integrity, ensuring that those he coached not only gained technical skill but also developed confidence and a genuine love for the hobby.
Lewis continues to encourage and support the pursuit of excellence, including guiding aspiring judges toward future licensure. His dedication demonstrates the very best of the poultry community: generosity, knowledge, and an unwavering commitment to helping others succeed.
Lewis’s legacy as a mentor and teacher is defined by the countless exhibitors he has influenced, and his impact will be felt for years to come through the knowledge, values, and passion he instilled.
Tim Bowles
A Legacy of Dedication and Leadership in the Fancy
For more than 50 years, Tim Bowles has dedicated his life to the exhibition poultry hobby, leaving an extraordinary legacy of passion, mentorship, and integrity. His commitment is reflected not only in the quality of the birds he has raised but also in the countless hours spent mentoring newcomers, supporting juniors, and promoting good sportsmanship. Tim’s efforts have strengthened the community while preserving the heritage breeds that are the foundation of the fancy.
Across the decades, Tim has set a standard of excellence both in the showroom and behind the scenes. His deep knowledge, honesty, and willingness to share expertise have made a lasting impact on generations of poultry enthusiasts. Juniors in particular have benefitted from his guidance, often finding in him their first mentor and greatest supporter. Beyond the birds themselves, Tim has worked tirelessly at shows, volunteering his time and energy to ensure that events succeed and that exhibitors of all ages feel welcomed and encouraged.
Tim Bowles’ legacy is defined not by the trophies and awards he has won, but by the people he has inspired. His influence has reached across generations, instilling in others the same love for poultry and commitment to excellence that has guided his own journey. His name has become synonymous with dedication, generosity, and the very best values of the fancy.
For these reasons, Tim Bowles stands as a most deserving recipient of this honor. His life’s work has enriched the poultry community immeasurably, and his legacy will continue to shape and uplift the fancy for many years to come.
Memorial Honorees
Paul Gilroy
A Lifetime of Service to the Fancy
Paul Gilroy has been an active and influential member of the exhibition poultry community since 1988. Over more than three decades, he has worn many hats: breeder, exhibitor, judge, director, and mentor. His favorite breed, the Rose Comb Leghorn, was the centerpiece of his breeding program, but his contributions reached far beyond the birds he raised.
In 2010, Paul became a licensed judge with the American Poultry Association, adding his expertise to countless shows across the country. His service extended further as a director with the American Bantam Association, where his leadership and vision strengthened the organization. A lifetime member of both the APA and ABA, Paul’s deep commitment to the fancy has been both recognized and celebrated by his peers.
What set Paul apart, however, was not only his titles or achievements, but his character. At every show, Paul made it a point to connect with people—whether seasoned exhibitors or newcomers just entering the hobby. His willingness to share knowledge, answer questions, and encourage others became one of his hallmarks. Youth exhibitors in particular benefitted from his support, as Paul believed strongly in nurturing the next generation of fanciers.
Paul Gilroy’s legacy is one of service, generosity, and passion for the fancy. Through decades of breeding, judging, leadership, and mentorship, he enriched the exhibition poultry community and left a lasting impact on all who had the privilege of knowing him.
Clell Agler
A Lifetime of Service to the Fancy
For more than sixty years, Clell Agler has devoted his life to exhibition poultry, setting standards of excellence as a breeder, judge, mentor, and leader. His renowned Leghorns have achieved national recognition, reflecting decades of dedication to quality, ethics, and the advancement of the fancy.
As a licensed judge with both the APA and ABA, Clell earned the respect of exhibitors nationwide for his fairness, expertise, and integrity. His evaluations combined honesty with encouragement, inspiring confidence in veterans and juniors alike.
Clell’s leadership extended far beyond the showroom. As the longest-serving officer of the Ohio National Poultry Show and Poultry Director at the Ohio State Fair, he ensured the success and continuity of these cornerstone events—often through personal sacrifice. His vision and commitment helped these shows thrive while fostering opportunity and community for exhibitors of all ages.
Equally important is Clell’s role as a mentor. Generous with his time and knowledge, he has guided countless breeders, shaping the next generation of poultry fanciers. His legacy lives not only in the birds he raised but in the people he inspired.
Clell Agler’s lifetime of service exemplifies the very purpose of the National Hall of Champions. His induction would honor a man whose influence has defined and elevated the exhibition poultry world for generations.
Harry & Vi Halbach
A Lifetime of Service to the Fancy
Harold and Vi spent 62 years side by side, sharing a love and devotion to each other and making a living raising and selling exhibition poultry all over the world. For Harold and Vi, raising and showing purebred fowl has been a family institution for more than a century. “it’s in your blood – part of our heritage” is what Vi used to tell the family. Harold and Vi were very proud to carry on the tradition which developed into a career. Their mentor was Bill Halbach, Harry’s dad.
Their farm known as Halbach Poultry Farm was made famous throughout the world by the couple’s dedication to raising, exhibiting, and promoting purebred poultry. They both traveled around the world meeting poultry enthusiasts, which was paramount to their success. Their breeding knowledge of large fowl, bantams and waterfowl was evident in extensive wins and shared by customers across the country. Each had their roles in the business along with their four children to make Halbach Poultry Farm the only successful exhibition poultry farm in the world for over 40 years. They had as many as 15,000 birds in the summer months on range. The sight was spectacular to visitors which were always welcomed on the farm. The White Plymouth Rock strain was developed by the Halbach’s and was always a favorite of the family. The family business spanned over four generations and 120 years.
Our mother Vi, ran the books, orders, and business while Harry promoted, bred, and cared for the poultry, the two were a formidable force. Harry and Vi were the last people in the history of the Association to make their living from exhibition poultry. They taught their children and grandchildren the importance of God, family, and purebred poultry. The family worked, prayed, played together, and shared a love of purebred poultry.
To date they are the only couple that both presided as presidents of the American Poultry Association. Harold was president from 1982 – 1986. Vi was president from 1994 – 1998 and along with that feat, she was the first woman to hold office of the President. While they were presidents of the Association, they revamped the Standard of Perfection. Both were known as doers and understood the importance of getting the young people involved. As mentors in the poultry world, they would agree to say, “Getting young people started with poultry is one of the most rewarding experiences.”
The Halbach family would like to thank the committee for this well-deserved award for our parents. Our family knows that the exhibition poultry world and the American Poultry Association is a better place because of Harry and Vi’s dedication, their influence and service.
