2026 Festival Honoree, Herman Waguespack, Jr. grew up in Vacherie, LA. After graduating from Ascension Catholic High School, he attended Nicholls State University to earn a B.S. in Agriculture Business.  While at Nicholls he was president of the NSU Ag Club and served as president of Delta Tau Alpha honorary agriculture fraternity.  He was named the outstanding AG graduate of 1981 and was a Nicholls Hall of Fame graduate as well as Who’s Who among American College Students. 

Upon graduation he worked as a sugarcane farm manager for Caire and Graugnard and for several years worked as a Farm Bureau insurance agent in St. James parish. 

In 1985, he began his career as a sugarcane agronomist for the American Sugar Cane League working with researchers and farmers throughout the state to develop new varieties and test new technology for the advancement of the Louisiana sugarcane industry.  In 1996 he completed his studies at LSU and graduated with a master’s degree in agronomy. He graduated from The LSU Ag Leadership program and currently represents Class IV on the Ag Leaders of Louisiana board of directors.

Since 1985, he has worked with the Louisiana sugarcane variety development team to release 28 new sugarcane varieties for commercial production. His work with the researchers has helped to formulate new recommendations for growers in this ever-changing industry.  He has worked closely with growers throughout the state by participating in mechanical harvester studies to determine how growers can best utilize combine harvesters in Louisiana.  He has participated in studies to help growers utilize the residue left in the field after harvest to promote stubble longevity and reduce sediment runoff.  Working with engineers and farmers the American Sugarcane League agronomists have also conducted studies to help improve mechanical planting and other important tools for the industry. 

Herman was named Research Director of the American Sugar Cane League in 2015 and served in that capacity until retirement in 2024. He served as president of the Louisiana Division of The American Society of Sugarcane Technologists and was granted honorary lifetime membership in that Association. He represented the League as a commercial member in support of the national IR-4 program and for many was on management conference of the Barataria Terrebonne National Estuary Program. He received the Lafourche Field Day Award and was the 59th recipient of the Kermit Coulon Sr. Outstanding Service Award. The award is given to those who have provided exceptional service in research and education in the sugarcane industry. He was also awarded the American Sugar Cane League’s president’s award in 2024. He is proud to be chosen as the Louisiana Sugar Cane Festival Honoree for 2026.

He and his wife Lisa live in Thibodaux.