Florida Farm Bureau has named the finalists for its 2027 Florida Farmer of the Year award: Wade Ellenburg of Holmes County, Danny Johns of St. Johns County and Dr. Hal Phillips of Levy County. The award recognizes agriculturalists who demonstrate excellence in stewardship of the land and leadership within their communities.
The winner will be announced Oct. 30 during Florida Farm Bureau Federation’s 85th Annual Meeting in Daytona Beach.
The 2027 Florida Farmer of the Year will serve as an ambassador for Florida agriculture, promoting agriculture’s contributions to local communities and the state’s economy. The recipient participates in outreach efforts and activities with Florida Farm Bureau throughout the year to advocate for the future of farming.
ABOUT THE FINALISTS
Wade Ellenburg of Holmes County is a Holmes County commissioner and the owner of Ellenburg Farms in Westville. Ellenburg has farmed full-time alongside his father for more than 30 years. During that time, he expanded Ellenburg Farms from 40 acres to a nearly 600-acre, year-round operation that produces timber and grows peanuts, watermelon, cream peas, cabbage, squash, cantaloupe, tomatoes and cucumbers.
Ellenburg is a member of the Holmes County Farm Bureau Board of Directors, Holmes County Value Adjustment Board, Florida Farm Bureau Fruit and Vegetable Advisory Committee and the Chronic Wasting Disease/Deer Depredation Advisory Committee. He received a CARES award for implementing rotational grazing, cover crops and other responsible land stewardship practices.
Danny Johns of St. Johns County is a fourth-generation farmer and owner of Blue Sky Farms in Elkton, where he grows more than 20 varieties of potatoes.
Johns has served as president of North Florida Growers Exchange, director for the Florida Fruit and Vegetable Association, Florida representative for the National Potato Council and committee member for the U.S. Potato Board. He currently serves on UF/IFAS Advisory Committees and the statewide Mehlich-3 Phosphorus Committee. Johns’ dedication to innovative, sustainable agricultural practices earned both a CARES award and the Florida Commissioner of Agriculture’s Environmental Stewardship award.
Dr. Hal Phillips of Levy County is a lifelong cattleman, veterinarian and agricultural leader from Morriston. Dr. Phillips practiced veterinary medicine for 20 years before dedicating himself full-time to Phillips Ranch, a diversified cattle operation that also produces hay, sod, seed, small grains and timber.
Dr. Phillips has served as president of both the Florida and Marion County Cattlemen’s Associations and as a director of the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association. He currently serves on the Board of Directors for Farm Credit of Florida. In 2024, he was inducted into the Marion County Agriculture Hall of Fame, honoring his lifelong commitment to agriculture, stewardship and service.
