Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Wilton Simpson and the Florida Agricultural Hall of Fame Foundation announced Jeffrey “Jeff” Dewey Gargiulo, Lynetta and Ken Griner, and Ron St. John as the 2027 Florida Agricultural Hall of Fame Inductees.
About the Inductees
Jeff Gargiulo is a lifelong agricultural leader and entrepreneur whose career has spanned more than four decades in Florida agriculture and the global produce industry. As co-founder and CEO of Gargiulo Inc., he grew the company from a Florida tomato operation into what was one of the largest tomato-growing operations in the world. Gargiulo served in numerous industry leadership roles, including chairman of the Produce Marketing Association, president of Florida Tomato Growers, president of the Florida Fruit & Vegetable Association, and president and CEO of Sunkist Growers. He is also widely recognized for his philanthropy as co-founder of the Naples Children & Education Foundation and the Naples Winter Wine Festival, which have generated significant support for children’s education and healthcare programs in Collier County.
Lynetta and Ken Griner have built a legacy of leadership in Florida agriculture through more than three decades of work in forestry, cattle production and conservation. Lynetta became the first female president of the Florida Forestry Association in 2012 and has served in numerous leadership roles with focused on natural resources and land stewardship across the state. Ken is a prominent leader within Florida’s cattle industry who served as president of the Florida Cattlemen’s Association and on the board of the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association. Together, they have championed agricultural education by launching the University of Central Florida’s Timber Harvesting Equipment Program and opening their operation, Usher Land & Timber, to students, policymakers and the public to showcase responsible forestry and cattle production.
Ron St. John is a pioneering dairy producer whose innovation helped shape Florida’s dairy industry. He established Levy County Dairy in 1986, where he advanced nutrition, animal care and land stewardship standards. He later founded Alliance Dairies, which became one of the nation’s leading dairy enterprises. St. John is known as a dedicated mentor, helping develop agricultural leaders, launch new businesses and create lasting opportunities for others in Florida and beyond.
The Florida Agricultural Hall of Fame Foundation and the Florida State Fair Authority will hold the 2027 Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony on Tuesday, Feb. 9, 2027, at the Florida State Fairgrounds in Tampa. More information on the Florida Agricultural Hall of Fame and the banquet can be found at FloridaAgHallofFame.org.
