November 5, 2018
Richard Barber, a Marion County grower, has received a prestigious statewide honor.
Barber, a long-term member and past president of the Marion County Farm Bureau, is a recipient of Florida Farm Bureau’s 2018 Distinguished Service Award. Florida Farm Bureau President John L. Hoblick presented the award during the state organization’s annual meeting in St. Augustine on Oct. 24.
A peanut, watermelon and beef cattle producer, Barber has previously been inducted into the Marion County Agricultural Hall of Fame and the Florida Agricultural Hall of Fame. He was recognized as the Sunbelt Expo’s 1995 Florida Farmer of the Year and in 2012 he received an Award of Distinction from the University of Florida’s College of Agriculture and Life Sciences.
Barber’s volunteer service spans an impressive range of activities, including terms as a director of the Florida Watermelon Growers Association, the Florida Peanut Advisory Board and the National Peanut Council. He has also been a long-term Farm Credit director and stockholder.
“Richard Barber has been involved in most dimensions of activity in the agricultural community,” Hoblick said. “He has been a loyal Farm Bureau leader and a community volunteer who has always been willing to assist other colleagues. He has also been a positive mentor for young people. I am proud to recognize Richard with this award.”