Nov. 4, 2014
Gainesville, Fla. – Ray Crawford of Sumter County was named the 2014 Pat Cockrell Lifetime Achievement Award recipient for his exemplary, long-term service to Florida Farm Bureau. The award was presented during Florida Farm Bureau’s 2014 Annual Meeting in Ponte Vedra Beach on Oct. 29.
As a Field Services staff member, Crawford devoted 34 years of service in support of local Farm Bureau groups. He was an assistant director of Field Services for most of his career. From 2003 until 2008 he assumed the duty of directing the entire division at the state office in Gainesville. Crawford retired from Florida Farm Bureau in 2012.
“Ray Crawford was always ready to assist volunteers and staff people throughout his career,” Florida Farm Bureau President John Hoblick stated. “He was instrumental in creating local county alliances to bring together all sectors of agriculture for the good of the whole.
“Ray’s relentless pursuit of success for Florida Farm Bureau is still evident in many aspects of our organization and his legacy will live on for many years to come.”
The Cockrell award was established in 2011 to honor the late Pat Cockrell, a dedicated Florida Farm Bureau employee who spent 35 years working for Florida Farm Bureau on behalf of farm families’ interests.