Larry McClendon Recipient of Harry S. Baker Distinguished Service Award

MEMPHIS, Tenn. – Larry McClendon, a former chairman and vice chairman for the National Cotton Council received the 2024 Harry S. Baker Distinguished Service Award. 

McClendon was recognized during the National Cotton Council’s (NCC) 2025 annual meeting held February 14 -16 in Dallas, Texas.

The award, named for the late California industry leader and past NCC President Harry S. Baker, is presented annually to a deserving individual who has provided extraordinary service, leadership and dedication to the U.S. cotton industry.

Operating a successful cotton and grain farm in Lee County, Arkansas, McClendon also serves as president and manager of McClendon, Mann and Felton Gin Company in Marianna, Arkansas. His extensive involvement in national, regional, and state associations includes past presidencies of the National Cotton Ginners Association, Southern Cotton Ginners Association, and the Arkansas Agricultural Council. Currently, he is a board member of Staplcotn.

McClendon's dedication to the industry has earned him numerous accolades, including the 2002 Southern Cotton Ginners Association Ginner of the Year, the 2003 Horace Hayden National Ginner of the Year award, and the 2006 Cotton Grower magazine’s Achievement Award. These honors highlight his innovative practices, environmental stewardship, and leadership within the cotton community.

A graduate of the University of Arkansas, McClendon is also deeply committed to his church and community. He serves as a deacon at First Baptist Church of Marianna and is a trustee for Baptist Hospital Systems in Memphis. He and his wife, B.J, reside in Marianna, Arkansas.

Previous Baker award recipients include producers -- Woody Anderson, Duke Barr, Bruce Brumfield, Lloyd Cline, Robert Coker, Jimmy Dodson, Bruce Heiden, Kenneth Hood, Bill Lovelady, Bob McLendon, Frank Mitchener, Ron Rayner, Jimmy Sanford, Eddie Smith, Jack Stone and Charlie Youngker; ginners -- Lon Mann and Charlie Owen; merchants -- William B. Dunavant, Jr., and Bill Lawson; cooperative official -- Woods Eastland; textile manufacturer -- Duke Kimbrell; association executives – Andrew Jordan, Gaylon Booker, Phil Burnett, Neal Gillen, Mark Lange, John Maguire, Bill May, Albert Russell, Earl Sears, and B.F. Smith; Congressional members -- Senators Saxby Chambliss and Thad Cochran and Representatives Larry Combest and Charles Stenholm; and USDA official -- Charlie Cunningham.