November 2, 2017
More than 500 grassroots members gathered at the Sawgrass Marriott Golf Resort and Spa, in Ponte Vedra Beach, Oct. 30 – Nov. 1, 2017. Florida Farm Bureau voting delegates discussed and approved policy resolutions submitted by county Farm Bureaus throughout the state. The resolutions were adopted as policy for 2018.
The meeting included award and recognition programs to honor outstanding young farmers and ranchers, state lawmakers and the accomplishments of county Farm Bureaus and individual members for their distinguished service to agriculture.
Florida Farm Bureau presented an impressive list of awards at the annual meeting, including:
Young Farmer and Rancher Achievement in Agriculture Award: Brittany Lee (Alachua County)
Young Farmer and Rancher Excellence in Agriculture Award: Courtney Davis (Okeechobee County)
Young Farmer and Rancher Discussion Meet Award: Michael Rogalsky (Polk County)
Youth Speech Contest Winner: Lauren Roberts (Gilchrist County)
Newsperson of the Year Award: Cindy Jo Ayers (Gilchrist County)
Volunteer Communicator of the Year Award: Callon “Buddy” Keen (Manatee County)
Extension Professional of the Year: Robert Hochmuth (Suwannee County)
Certified Crop Adviser of the Year Award: Rob Millings (Columbia County)
Legislator of the Year Award: Sen. Denise Grimsley and Rep. Jim Boyd
Team Player Award, Ronnie Day (Escambia County)
Distinguished Service Award: James Dickinson, (Polk County) and Henry Pittman Davis (Taylor County)
2017 Swisher Sweets/Sunbelt Expo Florida Farmer of the Year: Mark Wilson (Miami-Dade County)
Ag-Environmental Leadership Award: Cindale Farms (Jackson County), Florida Blue Farms, Inc. (Alachua County), and Speedling Inc. (Hillsborough County)
Multiple county Farm Bureaus received awards of excellence for achieving top membership and/or sale fresh products offered by Florida Agricultural Marketing Association, a subsidiary of Florida Farm Bureau.
View photos of event.
