Longtime Poultry Industry Researcher, Teacher Wallace Beggs Dies

A Franklin County native known worldwide for his work in the poultry research industry is being remembered by family and colleagues.

Wallace Alfred Beggs passed away December 17 in Baldwin.

A native of Franklin County, Beggs grew up in Lavonia and attended the University of Georgia where he graduated in 1947 .

His love of farming, cattle and agriculture became his career.

Lee and Tom Arrendale recognized Beggs’ talents and passion and hired him to manage their poultry and cattle operations.

There, Beggs spent over 40 years managing their hatchery, breeder and hen operations, as well as their cattle farm, turkeys and even looking after their buffalo herd in Alto.

He finished his career building and managing the Fieldale’s Direct Feed Mill in Baldwin.

His knowledge of the poultry industry took him to Guatemala with the challenge to help improve the hatchery and poultry operations for a division of Ralston Purina in the 1960s.

In the 1980s he went to Portugal and Malaysia to consult about feed mills. After retirement he was in steady demand in consulting capacities within the feed mill industry, including locations in China.

In 1991, he was given the Lee Arrendale Fellow Award by Rotary International for his achievements in agriculture.

During Farm City Week in 2005, Beggs was inducted into the Habersham County Agriculture Hall of Fame.

In 2009 he was elected to the Georgia Agriculture Hall of Fame at the University of Georgia.

Beggs also maintained a quality Angus breeding operation, as well as a large home garden.

He was also a long-time supporter of the Future Farmers of America, not only locally, but also Georgia and nationally.

Beggs was honored with the highest National FFA award, the Honorary American Farmer Degree and he served as a director of the FFA Alumni Association in the north region of Georgia.

He was a director at Habersham EMC for 27 years and until his death served as Director Emeritus. He was a dedicated member of Clarkesville Baptist Church and was a member of the Gideons International.

A memorial service was held last week in Clarkesville.

Beggs was laid to rest in Martin Baptist Church Cemetery.

Wallace Beggs was 87.