Awards & Recognition

Taylor County native LaDonna LaValle was one of 12 farm and ranch women leaders that graduated from the spring session of Women’s Communications Boot Camp hosted by the American Farm Bureau Federation. These women completed an intensive four-day course that featured hands-on sessions focused on public speaking, working…

Florida Farm Bureau Federation has selected its 2025-2027 Young Farmers & Ranchers Leadership Group. The leadership group consists of young men and women from across the state who represent Florida agriculture.   The Young Farmers & Ranchers Leadership Program is a two-year program that provides participants the opportunity to develop and refine their…

Emma Self, a sophomore at Warner University, was awarded first place in the Florida Farm Bureau Federation Collegiate Discussion Meet. The discussion meet took place at the organization’s 84th state Annual Meeting on Oct. 27.   [caption id="attachment_26661" align="alignleft" width="300"] Emma Self, a sophomore…

Gayward Hendry, president of Clay County Farm Bureau, was named the 2025 recipient of the Distinguished Service Award. He was honored during the President’s Celebration Banquet on Oct. 27 at the Florida Farm Bureau State Annual Meeting…

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. …

Woody Larson of Larson Dairy in Okeechobee has been named the 2026 Florida Farm Bureau Farmer of the Year. The winner was announced at Florida Farm Bureau’s 84th State Annual Meeting on October 29 at the Daytona Hilton Oceanfront Beach Resort.    Larson joined the family…

Nadia Rivera of Lake County won first place in the Florida Farm Bureau Youth Speech Contest at Florida Farm Bureau’s Annual Meeting on Oct. 28. An active member of Lake County 4-H for three years, Rivera impressed judges with a compelling five-minute speech addressing the topic:…

Delegates at the 2025 Florida Farm Bureau Annual Meeting have re-elected Jeb S. Smith of St. Johns County for his third two-year term as president of the organization. Smith has served on the state board continuously since 2012. He is the 12th president to serve the organization. “It is…

[caption id="attachment_26604" align="alignleft" width="319"] Richard Fiorelli was awarded the 2025 Crop Advisor of the Year award at the Florida Farm Bureau Federation’s 84th state annual meeting. The award was presented by federation President Jeb Smith.[/caption] Richard Fiorelli has been awarded the 2025 Florida Farm Bureau Crop Advisor of…

Emerald Greene, owner of Greene Publishing, has been named the 2025 Florida Farm Bureau Newsperson of the Year. This announcement was made at the organization’s state annual meeting on Oct. 28 at the Hilton Daytona Beach Oceanfront Resort.  [caption id="attachment_26601" align="alignleft" width="800"]…

Janyel Taylor of Manatee County received the Florida Farm Bureau’s 2025 Volunteer Communicator of the Year award during the organization’s 84th Annual Meeting in Daytona Beach.  [caption id="attachment_26599" align="alignleft" width="800"] Janyel Taylor was awarded the 2025 Volunteer Communicator of the Year award by Florida Farm Bureau Federation.

Sarah Luther of Alachua County was awarded first place in the Young Farmers & Ranchers Discussion Meet competition. The award was presented at the Florida Farm Bureau’s 84th state Annual Meeting on Oct. 27.  [caption id="attachment_26596" align="alignleft" width="800"] Sarah Luther of Alachua…