At the Society’s recent meeting on May 7 at Longwood Gardens, Ralph Bartholomew, longtime secretary of the Philadelphia Society for Promoting Agriculture, was honored on his retirement after 33 years of outstanding service.  The master of ceremonies, Daryl Biery, shared a history of Ralph’s accomplishments over the years and introduced a series of speakers who offered often-poignant remembrances of Ralph’s service to the society and to Saul high school.

Here are the comments that were offered by the Society’s president, Duncan Allison, in his recognition of Ralph’s service.

“No presentation can adequately express our appreciation and gratitude for all you have done for the PSPA during your 33 years of service as Secretary. After all, Presidents and Executive Committees come and go, but you have provided the cement that holds everything together and have truly been the heart and soul of our ancient society.

Our whole program this past year has been directed to sustainability – the ongoing capacity of our agriculture to produce food and recreational opportunities as well as nurturing our natural resources for future generations. You have been sustaining our organization to make sure it can continue our mission of promoting agriculture. Our 230-year-old society has greatly benefited from your 33 years of service – 14.3% of its existence; something to be very proud of.

There is something also symbolic about having this event so close to where you started your distinguished agricultural education career down the road in Oxford. There are still people who remember you. Your passion for agriculture and agriculture education, which you demonstrated from the start, then took you to W.B. Saul High School and we have heard about your impact there.

We are lucky that for the last 33 years you have been the guiding light and driving force to keep our society a continuing positive influence for agriculture. It has required a level of dedication and hard work which all of us recognize who know you. It has not only been hard work but your smiling face has been a constant warm welcoming influence at all our Union League meetings and events.

We are delighted that Cleo is with us today. Thank you Cleo for putting up with all his absences from home at meetings and events when he was supposed to be retired. You recognized that this was work he loved and had to carry out to the very best of his ability.

Ralph – It is my honor and privilege as current President to present you with these tokens of our appreciation and gratitude for your 33 years of service to the Philadelphia Society for Promoting Agriculture. They come with our best wishes to you and Cleo for many long and happy real retirement years.

President Allison presented a custom-made leather portfolio embossed with the seal of the Society, commemorative pens, business cards with his new title, Secretary Emeritus and a Life Membership in the Society (an honor rarely conferred).  Cleo Bartholomew, Ralph’s wife, was also presented with a canvas bag with the seal of the Society imprinted – a one-of-a-kind item!

 

Longwood Gardens’ Press Release >> Longwood Press

 

Many other remembrances were expressed by a string of speakers and Ralph replied in kind.  Many photos were snapped and a gallery of those shots is found below.