2020 Volunteer Recognition Awards

Welcome to  our virtual annual meeting volunteer recognition page. This page includes the YF&R award finalists and volunteer recipients of our 2020 Virtual Annual Meeting. We have also included remarks from the 2020 Virtual Annual Meeting. We can’t wait to see you in-person next year in Orlando, Oct. 27-29, 2021!

Young Farmer & Rancher Award Finalists

Achievement in Ag 

Michael & Brooke Hill, Lake County (Winner)

Dennis &  Sara Beth Carlton, Hillsborough County


Chance Clay, Putnam/St. Johns County



Excellence in Ag
K’Leigh Combs, Duval County
Matt Griffin, Lake County (Winner)
Scarlett Jackson, Polk County
View release here

Discussion Meet
Matthew Gonzalez, Levy County
Rebecca Hall, Alachua County
Ben Morris, Palm Beach County
Tyler Pittman, Alachua County (Winner)
View release here

Youth Speech Contest Finalists
D1: Sarah Thompson, Walton County
D2: Seth Chandler, Lafayette County
D3: Zoey Wright, Putnam/St. Johns County
D4: Pranav Swaminathan, Volusia County (Winner)
D5: Carter Howell, Hillsborough County
D6: Kea Kamiya, Manatee County
D7: Hendrix Patterson, Orange County (2nd Place)
D8: Kenneth Garcia, Broward County

Volunteer  Award Recipients

Florida Farmer of the Year
Rick Roth, Roth Farms, Palm Beach County



Distinguished Service Awards

Billy Hester, Volusia County Farm Bureau

Lowell Teal, Orange County Farm Bureau

Legislator of the Year
Sen. Debbie Mayfield
Rep. Blaise Ingoglia

Volunteer Communicator of the Year
Ryan Jenkins, Jenkins Farm, Santa Rosa County

Newsperson of the Year
Tom Flanigan, WFSU Media

Extension Professional of the Year
Danielle Sprague, Jefferson County

Crop Advising Award
Dennis Coleman, Manatee County

Team Player Award
Abby Godwin, Jefferson County