More than 450 grassroots members gathered in Daytona Beach Oct. 27-29 at the Hilton Daytona Beach Oceanfront Resort for Florida Farm Bureau’s 84th State Annual Meeting. Voting delegates discussed and approved policy resolutions that were adopted as the organization’s policy for 2026. Jeb S. Smith of St. Johns County was re-elected to serve a two-year term as the organization’s president.
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 volunteer leaders for their distinguished service to agriculture.
Florida Farm Bureau presented an impressive list of awards during the three-day annual meeting, including:
Young Farmers & Ranchers Achievement in Agriculture Award: Tyler Shadrick (Madison County)
Young Farmers & Ranchers Excellence in Agriculture Award: Katie Quincey (Gilchrist County)
Young Farmers & Ranchers Discussion Meet Award: Sarah Luther (Alachua County)
Collegiate Discussion Meet Award: Emma Self (Warner University)
Youth Speech Contest Winner: Nadia Rivera (Lake County)
Extension Professional of the Year: Dr. Ron Rice (Palm Beach County)
Pat Cockrell Lifetime Achievement Award: Frankie “Bubba” Hall (Alachua County)
Distinguished Service Award: Gayward Hendry (Clay County)
Newsperson of the Year Award: Emerald Greene, Greene Publishing (Madison County)
Volunteer Communicator of the Year Award: Janyel Taylor (Manatee County)
Excellence in Crop Advising Award: Richard Fiorelli (Pasco County)
Legislator of the Year Awards: Sen. Nick DiCeglie (District 18) and Rep. J.J. Grow (District 23)
2026 Florida Farm Bureau Farmer of the Year: Woody Larson (Okeechobee County)
Team Player Award: Lisa Loomis (Alachua County)
2025 Member Benefit of the Year: Gilbert Ford (Okeechobee County)
Commissioner’s Ag-Environmental Leadership Award: Wish Farms (Hillsborough County)
Multiple County Farm Bureaus received awards of excellence for achieving top membership and/or selling fresh products offered by Florida Agricultural Marketing Association, a subsidiary of Florida Farm Bureau.
A member benefits showcase provided members an opportunity to network with vendors, and a variety of breakout sessions were offered. Voting delegates elected three new district leaders to serve on the Florida Farm Bureau board of directors: John White (District 13), Michelle Williamson (District 15) and Mark Sodders (District 19). Christian Spinosa (District 14) will serve as the new treasurer on the executive committee.
The Florida Farm Bureau Annual Women’s Meeting was held on Oct. 28. The women elected LaDonna LaValle (District 3) to serve on the Women’s Leadership Committee. She replaces retiring committee member Nora Beth Carpenter of Madison County.
View the 2025 Annual Meeting Flickr album here.
