ANKENY, Iowa, Aug. 5, 2024 — In a ceremony held at the company’s manufacturing facility in St. Joseph, Mo., Dennis Albaugh, Founder and Chairman of Albaugh, LLC, formally dedicated a mural spanning the historic Stockyards Expressway as a gift to the city of St. Joseph, paying tribute to the rich heritage of the area. The dedication also coincides with the 45th anniversary of the founding of the company in 1979.
“Albaugh has called St. Joseph and the historic Stockyards Expressway our manufacturing home for more than 30 of our 45 years,” said Dennis Albaugh. “We’re proud to be part of this community and to provide some 240 jobs here,” he continued.
“In 2023, we completed construction on a skybridge that connects our production area to a new finished-goods warehouse that occupies part of the ground where the St. Joseph Stockyards once stood. We know how important the Stockyards were, not only to the economy, but also to the identity of this region, for so many years,” Mr. Albaugh explained. “As someone who has been involved in farming and the agriculture industry my entire life, it was important for me to pay tribute to the rich agricultural heritage of this area, including the Stockyards, as well as the historical significance of St. Joseph.”
The mural, which consists of 64 hand-painted panels, honors various milestones in St. Jospeh history, from the origins of the Pony Express to the iconic Stockyards, as well as paying homage to the agricultural roots of the area and Albaugh’s journey to becoming one of the largest crop protection companies globally. Artist Sam Welty, who has also completed murals in downtown St. Joseph, was commissioned for the artwork.
“It is my sincere hope that this beautiful mural will be enjoyed by the citizens and visitors of St. Joseph for generations to come,” Mr. Albaugh concluded.
Albaugh’s St. Joseph plant manufactures crop protection, seed treatment, and specialty products that serve agricultural and turf and ornamental customers in North America.