Manatee County Agricultural Hall of Fame

MANATEE COUNTY AGRICULTURAL HALL OF FAME

T. J. Carter, Sr.1919-1968

Outstanding Agriculturist 1967

•Cattleman •Conservationist•President, Manatee County Farm Bureau•Supervisor, Manatee River Soil and Water Conservation District, 8 years•Boys Club •American Legion

Edgar Hilleary Price, Jr. 1918-2012


•Agri-business•Commercial Flower Grower•Vice-President, Tropicana Products•Florida Gladiolus Growers Association•Florida Citrus Commission•Florida Horticultural Society•State Senator•Manatee County Distinguished Citizen Award, 1971•Florida Agricultural Hall of Fame, 1992

Robert Blake Whisenant1929-


•Farmer and Banker •Conservationist•Production Credit Association•Farm Bureau Leader in Progressive Agricultural Practices•Soil & Water Conservation District Supervisor, 16 years•Innovative Resource Manager •Manatee County Distinguished Citizen Award, 1995

Robert Billingsley Whisenant

1903-1978Outstanding Agriculturist

1969•Farmer•Engineer•Inventor•Started “Wide-Row” Farming System •Invented Many Implements for Vegetable Production•Florida Agricultural Hall of Fame, 1997

T.P. “Tip” Winter1900-1983


•“Mr. FFA”•Vocational Agriculture Teacher for 40 years•Future Farmers of America•Order of the Owl

John N. McClure1900-1977


•Vegetable Grower•Cattleman•Banker•Charter Member, Manatee River Soil and Water Conservation District•Founder, West Coast Tomato•Manatee Agriculture Distinguished Service Award

H. Shelton Moody1890-1980


•Banker•Philanthropist•Manatee County Distinguished Citizen Award, 1962

Irving Harris Stewart1922-1998


•“Mister Conservation” •Farm Bureau Friend of Agriculture Award•Manatee River Soil and Water Conservation District Conservationist of the Year Award, 1998•Florida Wildlife Conservationist Award•Manatee County Distinguished Citizen Award, 1983•Charter Member, Manatee County Agricultural Museum•Deacon

Donald Stafford Burgis 1913-2004


•Horticulturist•Research •Gulf Coast Research & Education Center 1946-1980•Helped make dramatic changes in the Florida Vegetable Industry

Ed Lee Ayers1892 -1989


•Entomologist•Manatee County Agricultural Agent, 18 years•State Plant Board Commissioner•Manatee County Distinguished Citizen Award, 1972•Palmetto Historical Commission

Lynn Harrison1917-2003


•Cattleman•Conservationist•Range Man of the Year, 1973•Manasota Basin Board•President, Southwest Florida PCA•Chairman, Manatee River Soil and Water Conservation District, 20 years•Chairman, Peace River Electric Cooperative

E.J. “Jack” Beazley1902-1984


•Vegetable Grower•Conservationist•“Outstanding Conservationist,” Manatee River Soil and Water Conservation District, 1968

Peter Stuart Harllee1913-2003


•Vegetable Grower•Financier•Conservationist•Agri-business•Introduced Drip Irrigation•Pioneered Integrated Pest Management•Manatee County Distinguished Citizen Award, 1990•Florida Agricultural Hall of Fame, 1989

Thurmond L. Smith1914-1977

Manatee County Agricultural Hall of Fame

1978•Rancher•Manatee County Cattlemen’s Association •Manatee County Historical Society •Manatee County Horsemen’s Association

Anthony T. Rossi1900-1993


•Founder, Tropicana, Inc. •Inventor •Citrus Marketing•Manatee County Distinguished Citizen, 1958•Florida Agricultural Hall of Fame, 1987

W. Harper Kendrick 1913-1968

Manatee County Agricultural Hall of Fame1979

•County Agent 1952-1967•USDA Superior Service Award, 1962•Distinguished Service Award •Bradenton Kiwanis Club

William P. Mixon, Jr. 1928-2016


•Citrus Producer and Shipper of Fresh Fruit •President, Mixon Fruit Farms•Director, Florida Citrus Mutual•Pioneered use of Micro-Jet Irrigation•Manatee County Farm Bureau

Will E. Waters1931-2013


•Horticulture•Director of Gulf Coast Research and Education Center•Published 240 Scientific, Technical Papers•Winner of many research awards

Eleanor Hill McKay 1920-

Manatee County Agricultural Hall of Fame 1982

•Secretary •Manatee County Extension Service, 30 years•Manatee Fair Association, 35 year Service Award

Lawrence Reagan


1982•Agri-business•Dairyman•Manatee Dairies, Inc. •President, Suncoast Milk Producers and Dairy Farmers, Inc. •Outstanding Young Farmer, 1968

R. Earle Lucas, Jr.


1983•Agri-business•CEO, Producer Fertilizer Company •Kiwanis Club•4-H Foundation •Farm City Week •Agriculture Advisory Council•Charter Member, Manatee County Agricultural Museum•2002 Florida 4-H Hall of Fame•2009 Outstanding Citizen of Manatee County

Norma G. Gill1930-2000


•Agricultural Reporter•Manatee River Soil and Water Conservation District Supervisor •Cattlewoman • Florida Association of County Agents Outstanding Agriculturist Award, 1980•Palmetto Historical Commission

J. Randolph Snell


1985•Dairyman•Chairman of Pollution Control Board when Local Air and Water Pollution Act adopted•Co-Organizer of the Tampa Independent Dairy Farmers Association•Author

Walter L. Preston1928-


•Horticulturist•Citrus and Flowers•President, Manatee Fruit Company•Governor’s Task Force, Future of Florida Agriculture•“Outstanding Agriculturist”, Florida Association of County Agents, 1980

Victor C. “Vick” Blackstone1912-1987


•Cattleman •National Cowboy Hall of Fame, 1982•Manatee County Distinguished Citizen, 1980•Named “Outstanding Man in Agriculture” by Florida County Agents Association, 1978

A.B. “Archie” Powell 1912-2005


•Cattleman •Manatee River Fair Association•4-H Foundation •Kiwanis Club of Bradenton •Salvation Army •Boy’s Club •Army Major•Manatee County Distinguished Citizen, 1996•Manatee County Tax Assessor , 1961-1974

Henry Wildes Harrison 1880-1951


•Cattleman •Meat Packer•Conservationist•Pioneer in using Brahman Cattle and improved pasture grasses

Pliny Ward Reasoner1863-1888


•Horticulture•Florida Agricultural Hall of Fame, 1981•Co-Founder of Florida’s Oldest Continually Operated Nursery

Egbert Norman Reasoner

1869-1926Manatee County Agricultural Hall of Fame

1987•Horticulture•Florida Agricultural Hall of Fame, 1980•Co-Founder of Florida’s Oldest Continually Operated Nursery

Henry Clifford Webb 1865-1917


•Inventor•General Contractor•Built “Webb” Plow for land clearing •Ward Temple AME church•Master Mason

Kimball Chase Atwood

1853-1934Manatee County Agricultural Hall of

Fame1988

•Citrus Pioneer•Seaboard Railroad Director •Atwood Grapefruit Company •World’s largest grapefruit grove, 1895•Banker

Robert Johnson “Jack” Taylor1911-1996

Outstanding Agriculturist1988

•Agri-business•Vegetable Grower•Banker•Conservationist•Promoted Drip Irrigation •Packinghouse Owner•Improved Migrant Housing and Labor

John Pope Harllee, Jr.

1909-1961Manatee County Agricultural Hall of

Fame 1988

•Vegetable Grower•Banker•Manatee County School Board•President, Bradenton Production Credit Association•Florida Fruit and Vegetable Association •Cattlemen’s Association•Rotary

Dan P. McClure1926-2006


•Farmer and Rancher•County Commissioner for 16 years•Inducted into the Florida Agricultural Hall of Fame 2010•West Coast Inland Navigation District•State Tomato Committee•Sarasota-Manatee Airport Authority•Kiwanis Club of Bradenton •Salvation Army•Charter Member Manatee County Agricultural Museum•Sunday School Teacher

Eugene Abe Mixon1935-


•Citrus •Pioneered local use of Jet Spray Irrigation •President, Florida Gift Fruit Shippers Association •Co-owner, Mixon Fruit Company •Manatee River Soil and Water Conservation District

Cecil Ray Burnett1909-1987


•Family Farmer •Vegetable & Citrus•Conservationist•Outstanding Conservationist, Manatee River Soil and Water Conservation District, 1960•Florida Banker’s Association Conservation Award, 1962•Deacon

John Agostini Blaser, Sr.


1989•Horticulturist•Pioneer in House Plants•Innovator of Nursery Productions & Marketing Techniques•Premiered Interior Foliage Industry •Patented Dracaena “Baby Doll”

Lawrence Lundy Dirr1883-1963


•Father of Commercial Gladiolus Industry in Florida•Organizer and First President, Florida Gladiolus Growers Association•Florida Flower Association

Carl Campbell Fraser1881-1962


•Ornamental Plant Grower•Nurseryman•American Florist Award•Three Syngonium Varieties•Developed Steam Sterilization for Media and Containers•One of the first in area to use elevated benches for growing plants which produced nematode-free plants•Member Florida Nurserymen & Growers Association

Amegda Jack Overman1920-2011


•Developed fumigation practices to permit repeat use of old agriculture land for vegetables and ornamentals•Internationally known expert on Nematodes•1982 Society of Nematology Award for Excellence•1985 Presidential Award from the Organization of Tropic American Nematologists•Extensive research on efficient irrigation, control of soil diseases and insects•Author of 217 publications•IFAS Professor, 40 years•Master Gardner Volunteer, in retirement

Emmett Alexander McCray1914-2004


•Teacher•Farmer•Agri-business•NFA Advisor, Lincoln High School, 25 years•Farm Co-op Organizer•Order of the Owl•President, Manatee Teacher Association•Deacon

Sylvester John Lynch1910-1976


•Horticulturist•Nurseryman•Researcher•Florida State Horticultural Society •Florida Nursery Growers Association •Founding Member Mango Forum•Lychee Growers Association President

Grover Cleveland Vowell1885-1971


•Farmer•Peach broker•Inventor•Developed and built mechanical tomato sprayer•First Horse-drawn sprayer•Gamble Mansion Restoration •Pioneer in staked tomatoes and sub-tile irrigation

Edward Cooper McLean1871-1937


•Pioneer Vegetable Grower•Known as “E.C.” – Mr. Agriculture•Commission Merchant and Produce Shipper•Early user of Sub-Irrigation•Packing House Operator•Bank Director and Philanthropist

Robert Ogden Magie1906-1997


•Plant Pathologist•Horticulturist•Gulf Coast Research Center 1945-1977•World-renowned Authority on Gladiolus•Published 200 research papers•Editor “Gladiograms” Newsletter•North American Gladiolus Council •Boy Scout Leader

Cecil L. Reagan1921-2000


•Dairy Farmer•Leader in Dairy Waste Pollution abatement•Promoted efficient Dairy Management•Shriner•Florida Bankers Association Conservation Award, 1964•Supporter, Crippled Children’s Hospital

Carroll M. Geraldson1918-2007


•Soil Chemist•Horticulture•Ag Research•Gulf Coast Research and Education Center, 1951-1990•Researched Black Heart in Celery and Blossom End Rot in Tomato•Innovative in development of full bed plastic mulch •Containerized production•Intensity and Balance (I&B) Soil testing•Recognized research author•Collaborated in the incorporation of gradient system in invention of Earthbox

Herman Gates Burnett1903-1972


•Dairyman•Conservationist•County Commissioner•Manatee & Florida Dairy Association •Florida Land Bank, Farm Bureau, Island Bank•Charter Supervisor of Manatee River Soil & Water Conservation District•Initiated Pasture Irrigation and “Calf Hotel” •Artificial breeding for herd improvement

Eric Vernon Golby1908-2004


•“Mr. Hibiscus”•Horticulturalist•Nurseryman•Author•Teacher•Consultant•Lecturer•Outstanding Horticulturalist, Florida Nursery Growers Association 1979•Rare Fruit Council •Palm Society International •Cycad Society •Hibiscus Educator and Judge

John Pope Harllee, Sr.1882-1962


•Grower•Packer•Public Servant•Manatee County Commissioner 1928-1940•Palmetto City Council 1922-1926, Mayor 1926-1928•Farm Bureau•Cattlemen’s Association•Kiwanis Club•Distinguished Citizen, 1956•Promoted “Tomato Disease Laboratory” University of Florida Experimental Station and Manatee Agriculture Center

Herbert E. Cook1928-2003


•Dairy Farmer•Production Credit Association, 1958-1963•Southwest Florida PCA, 1963-1986•4-H Club Foundation •Manatee County Extension Advisory Committee•Florida Council Farm Cooperative, Service Award•Conservationist•Supporter of Proper Land Use

Raymond F. Lee, Jr. 1924-2009


•Educator•Teacher, Agriculture, Manatee County High School, 10 years•Adult and Vocational Director of Community Program 1961-1992•Developed program from site to completion of First Vo-Tech Center in Florida •Executive Director of Manatee County Farm Bureau •Charter Member, Manatee County Agricultural Museum

Walton “Tink” Fulford 1903-1965


•Commercial Fisherman•Philanthropist•Cortez Leader and Supporter•An example of life committed to Fishing Resources, his community (Cortez) and his family

Bryon M. Smith, Sr. 1910-1990


•Kilgore Seed•Asgrow Kilgore Co. •Seeds and Farm Chemicals•“Smitty” •Store Manager 1933-1975•Farmers’ Friend and Advisor•Manatee County Fair Director •Farm Bureau •Charter Member, Palmetto Kiwanis•Methodist•Mason •Shriner

John Peachey 1935-


•Dairy Farmer•Industry Promoter•Dairy Farmers, Inc. •National Dairy Production and Research Board•Dairy Herd Improvement Association •Tampa Independent Dairy Farmers•National Milk Producers, Inc. •United Dairy Association Delegate

John A. Blaser II1932-2007


•Nurseryman•Former President, Florida Nursery Growers Association•Outstanding Florida Nurseryman of the Year•State Landscape Architects Board•Established State FNGA Trade Show •“Lay Extension Leader”

Hiram Thomas “Tom” Reeder1896-1949


•Innovative Farmer and Rancher •Churchman•Humanitarian •Manatee County Growers Association •Director, Ruskin Growers Co-op•Navy, World War I

David G.A. Kelbert1894-1971


•Tomato Breeder and Researcher•Florida Fruit and Vegetable Association Research Award, 1965•Gulf Coast Research and Education Center•Southwest Florida Research and Education Center

Richard M. Aalberg1939-


•County Extension Director, 1975-2000•Originated Extension Water School •Gave leadership to New (2003) Extension Building•Initiated 1st Public Meeting (1979) to establish Agricultural Museum•Chairman of Museum Capital Fund Drive (1998-99) •Two terms as Museum President 2000-2002•Twenty Five Year Museum Board Member

William H. Gillett1846-1916


•First Commercial Tomato Grower•Founder Parrish Baptist Church•Pioneer Cattleman•Fruit Grower

Arlin Taylor1930-


•Conservationist•Cattleman•Diversified Rancher: citrus, hay, sod•Rodeo Rider•U.S. Army •Baptist Deacon

Joel Hendrix1811-1892


•First Citrus Shipper•First in Green Vegetable Shipping •First General Store in Palmetto •First Palmetto Postmaster

James C. Nanney 1926-2014

Outstanding Agriculturalist 2000

•Florida State Horticulture Society •Florida Flower Association Research Committee•Florida Strawberry Growers Association•Gladiolus, Chrysanthemums, Strawberries•Ag Consultant for Agency for International Development•Scout Master

Kathryn Vassel Kermode


2001•First Female Commercial Vegetable Grower in Manatee County •Author•Manatee County Historical Commission •Palmetto Historical Commission •Distinguished Service Award•Eastern Star

John Jacob Diem1919 -


•Chairman of Board, Southern Ag •Entrepreneur•Ag Advisor •Rotarian•Deacon •Community Leader

Franklin Clifford Armstrong


2002•Early Terra Ceia grower, shipper and landowner•Grower of “Terra Ceia” brand grapefruit•Director of Independent Line of Steamships•Seaboard Air Line Railroad Director•Founder, Gillette Cemetery

Travis E. Seawright 1939-2016


•Cattleman •Conservationist•President, Manatee County Farm Bureau•Supervisor Manatee River Soil and Water Conservation District, 8 years•Manatee County Extension Livestock Agent, 30 years•Boys Club •American Legion

Ralph C. Garrison1953-


•Founder of Suncoast Nursery, Inc. •Leader in developing acclimatized plants for interiors•Active in Manasota Chapter and Florida FNGA•Manatee County Extension Agriculture Advisory Committee•National Foliage Foundation•Farm Bureau Member•Farm City Week Committee

James Munday Walter1906-1967


•Globally honored tomato breeder and pathologist•USDA researcher•Developed numerous tomato and pole bean varieties at Gulf Coast Research and Education Center•Introduced in-the-row fumigation for nematode control •Author of over 70 publications

Royce C. Williams1938-2015


•Native of Palmetto •Graduate of University of Florida •4-H Agent, Citrus County•County Agent, Lake County•Agriculture Instructor at Vo-Tech•Developed Nursery Operations Program at Vo-Tech •Established first certification program in Florida for Nursery and Lawn Maintenance Professionals •Supervisor of Vocational and Technical Education for Manatee County Schools

Thomas Jefferson Russell1902-1953


•Founded Russell’s Farm Supply Store in Palmetto •Innovative Adapter of Farm Equipment for Local use •Pioneer of Non-Traditional Financing for Farmers•Elder in the Church of Christ•Mason •Rotarian

Thomas “Blue” Fulford1931-2015


•Third Generation Cortez Fisherman •President, Executive Director, Organized Fishermen of Florida •Pioneered Harvesting of Bait Fish •Charter member of F.I.S.H., the Florida Institute for Saltwater Heritiage

James Edward “Jim” Parks 1944-


•Served on Manatee River Fair Association since 19971•State Beef Advisory Committee•Director and Board Member of both Manatee County and Florida Farm Bureaus•Chairman of Manatee County and Florida Cattlemen’s Association•Long-time 4-H Leader•Member, Florida 4-H Hall of Fame •Vietnam Veteran •Manatee County Native•Graduate Manatee High School

Otto M. Bundy 1926-2009


•Pioneered cultivation of sea oats to restore Florida’s beaches and use of micro propagation of plants used to restore coastal and wetland habitats•Manatee County Friends of Extension 2005-2009•Manatee County Agricultural Museum Board of Directors 2005-2009•Manatee County Marine Extension Advisory Committee 1979-2009•Manatee County Commercial Horticulture Extension Advisory Committee , 1972-2009•Manatee County Extension Advisory Committee ,1987-2005•Manatee County Chamber of Commerce, Environmental Committee 1983-86•Manatee County Land Development Code Citizen Advisory Committee, 1978•Manatee River Soil and Water Conservation District Supervisor 1982-1984•Veteran served in U.S. Navy during World War II in the Pacific Theatre

Betty Keen Glassburn 1945-


•Born Keentown (Duette), Fl•Member Century Pioneer Farm Family •Florida 4-H Hall of Fame, inducted 2002•Lifetime Member Dry Prairie Baptist Church •Manatee County Agricultural Member Board of Directors•Manatee County Farm City Week Committee, Originator of Farm City Week Ag Tour•Manatee County 4-H Foundation over 30 Years•Leader Mighty 4-H’ers of Duette over 30 years•Manatee River Soil and Water Conservation District, Supervisor 6 years •Manatee County Extension Service Employee 15 years

John Taylor1943-


•Taylor & Fulton, Inc. •Florida Tomato Committee Board of Directors•Florida Tomato Growers Exchange•Bradenton Yacht Club Board of Directors•Southwest Florida Water Management District Agriculture Advisory Committee•Active in Tomato Production in Florida, Georgia, and Virginia for over 40 years•Graduate Manatee High School and Auburn University •United States Army 1961-62, stationed in Germany during Berlin Crisis•Member First Baptist Church of Palmetto

Robert Jay Taylor1955-


•Taylor & Fulton, Inc. •Gulf Coast Research & Education Center Advisory Committee•GREC Site Selection Committee 2001•Florida Fruit and Vegetable Association Board of Directors•Florida Tomato Committee Board of Directors•Florida Tomato Growers Exchange•Founding Member Quincy Tomato Exchange•Appointed by the Governor as Chairman of the Board, Florida Housing Finance Committee•Graduate of Manatee High School and University of Miami•Manatee River Fair Association Board of Directors

Earl Walter “Nick” Baden, Jr

1939-Manatee County Agricultural Hall of Fame

2008•Farm City Week Committee Past Treasurer•Manatee County Agricultural Museum Inaugural Board Member and Artifacts Chairman•Palma Sola Botanical Park Board of Directors•Geraldson Community Farm Organizational Committee Member •Manatee County 4-H Foundation•Manatee Sarasota Fish and Game Association•Audubon Society•Manatee River Fair Association Member and Department Volunteer•Kiwanis Club of Bradenton •Manatee County Bar Association•Home is “the Old Felts Homestead” •Helped preserve farm equipment, machinery, the Harrison Bunkhouse, the Fogarty Boathouse, and helped preserve the replica of the Harllee Barn

James P. Gilreath1947-


•University of Florida IFAS, Gulf Coast Research and Education Center, Professor, Horticulturist Weed Science, 1981-2006•EPAs Stratospheric Ozone Protection Award for Leadership in Researching Methyl Bromide Alternatives in 2002-2007•UF Superior Accomplishment Award•Published over 290 articles•Research resulted in over 19 herbicide registrations for vegetable and ornamental crops•Research focused on the integration of herbicides with soil fumigants to provide effective broad spectrum soil borne pest control

Phyllis R. Gilreath1952-


•Manatee County Extension Vegetable Agent 1982-2008•Nationally recognized for expertise in pest management, water conservation, water quality and fertilizer management as they relate to growing vegetables in Florida •Jim App Team Award for Outstanding Design Team Vegetable Production, Harvesting, Handling Efficiencies and Integrated Pest Management in Florida, 2002•IFAS Interdisciplinary Research and Extension Team Award, 2001•T.J. Carter Outstanding Conservationist Award, 1998

Ronald Gary Reeder 1953-


•5th Generation Floridian•4th Generation Manatee County Tomato Grower•T.J. Carter Award for Outstanding Conservation Practices•Manatee County Extension Exceptional Service Award 1997•Manatee River Soil & Water Conservation District•Manatee County Farm Bureau Board of Directors•Manatee County Friends of Extension and Extension Advisory Committee•Florida Farm Bureau Vegetable Advisory Committee•Appointed by Governor Jeb Bush to Florida Pesticide Review Council •Palmetto High School FFA Alumni Association•Graduated Palmetto High School and attended Manatee Junior College

Henry Brown Parrish1911-1993


•Manatee County Cattlemen’s Association•Florida Cattlemen’s Association•Manatee County Agriculture Stabilization and Conservation Committee Director•T.J. Carter Award for Outstanding Conservation Practices, 1974•Supported and Funded the Myakka City “Teen” center•Assisted with 4-H and FFA Youth Programs•Sponsored Manatee County Cattlemen’s “Sweetheart Contest”

Brenda Gay Rogers1958-


•Director Manatee County Community Services•Manatee County Extension Director•Manatee County Extension Agent, Family Consumer Services•Kiwanis Club of Bradenton President & Agriculture Committee •Leadership Manatee Board of Governors•Manatee County 4-H Foundation •Manatee County Farm City Week Committee

Francis “Frank” Connor 1893-1953


•Seaboard Airline Railroad Agricultural Agent •Worked with growers and land owners to match land needs and negotiate land use, sale, or lease•Authored articles for Tampa Tribune, Progressive Farmer and Agricultural Journals •Graduate of Clemson University, SC•U.S. Army Veteran

James Arthur “Jim” Strickland

1955-Outstanding Agriculturist

2010•President Florida Cattlemen’s Association•President/State Director Manatee Cattlemen’s Association•Manatee County Fair Board Director•Manatee County Farm Bureau Board of Directors •Manatee County Agricultural Museum Board of Directors•SPCA Disaster Preparedness for Livestock on a Range•Cattle Research & Education Center Advisory Committee•Florida Farm Bureau Board of Directors•FFB Federation’s International Trade Task Force Committee•Member Manatee County Friends of Extension•University of FL IFAS Vice President’s Agriculture Council.

John James O’Connor Jr.1942-


•Manatee River Soil & Water Conservation District Supervisor •Florida Association of Conservation Districts President •Established the Ellis Putnal Memorial Fund •Leader in Development of Manatee County Sludge Ordinance•Obtained grants for Lake Manatee Non-Point Source Pollution Project•Assisted in developing Manatee Agriculture Reuse System (MARS)•Co-founder Manatee County Comprehensive Planning Committee•Supporter of FFA & 4-H Youth Programs

Faye Blackstone1915-2011


•Rodeo Trick Rider on Cracker Ponies•Inducted into National Cowgirl Hall of Fame, 1982•Blackstone Park, Palmetto-Named in Honor of Faye & Vick Blackstone•Inducted into Florida Agricultural Hall of Fame, 2004•Manatee County Horseman Association Riding Club •Co-Manager of Quarter Circle Cattle Ranch, Parrish

William Lee “Buck” Strickland

1938-Outstanding Agriculturist

2011•Vegetable & Citrus Grower•C.R. Burnett & Sons•Early User of Low-Volume Irrigation for Citrus Tomato Farming•Owner, Shiloh Farms•Manatee County Farm Bureau •Palmetto High School Football Boosters

Callon Carnelious Keen, Sr. 1911-1995


•Old Pioneer Family •Citrus Grove Superintendent •Cattleman •Holtsinger & Keen Cattle Company, Partner•Charter Member Florida Citrus Mutual Member Manatee County Farm Bureau •Founding Member Manatee County Horseman’s Association •Founding Member Manatee County Sheriff’s Mounted Posse •Manatee River Soil & Water Conservation District, Supervisor, 10 years•ASCS Director, now Farm Service Agency, 10 years•FFA Volunteer •4-H Leader

Ervin Howard Shannon 1946-


•Manatee County Vegetable Crops Advisory Committee •Farm City Week Committee•South Central Florida Small Farm Planning Committee•Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University State Cooperative Award, ManaHill Cooperative, Inc. for betterment of black and poor farmers, 1982•Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University Service Award, 1993, 1998•Established community vegetable gardens at local minority churches and youth organizations •4-H Volunteer •Small Farm Advisory Committee

Balazs “Bill” Martom Orban1923-


•Horticulturalist•Manatee Fruit Company chrysanthemum grower•Largest poinsettia grower on the west coast of Florida •Worked with Gulf Coast Research Center, University of Florida, and Paul Ecke Poinsettias to trial new poinsettia varieties •Developed sub-irrigation for floricultural crops•Florida Nursery Growers and Landscaper Association, Floriculture Division Board of Directors

James Thomas “J.T.” Reeder1920-2009


•Reeder Farms, Founding Partner •Reeder Ranch & Dairy, Inc., President •Vegetable and Citrus Grower •Manatee County Growers Association •Manatee County Farm Bureau •Cattleman’s Association •Southwest Florida Milk Producers

Richard B. “Dick” Shore1898-1967


•Fruit and vegetable broker•Pioneered the use of ethylene gas to control ripening of tomatoes being shipped•Recognized as outstanding salesman by Harllee Farms•Part owner of Whisenant-Shore Farms which pioneered new hybrid varieties such as cherry tomatoes•Founding member of the Florida Fruit and Vegetable Association

Linda Parks1947 -


•Co-owner of Come See Come Sav Farm and Garden Stores•Former leader for Elwood Park 4-H club•Co-founded the first 4-H Exchange Program Assists 4-H club leaders prepare members for 4-H livestock judging competitions•Coach for 4-H meat judging team•Developer of the local 4-H Beef Ambassador Program•Member of Manatee Cattlewomen •Member of Florida Cattlewomen Association•Honorary member of several local FFA Chapters

Callon “Buddy” Keen, Jr. 1950-


•7th generation Manatee County Resident•Keen Farm & Grove Service, Inc Co-Founder and Vice President•Keen & Keen Citrus, Inc. Co-Founder and Vice President•C&S Grove Service, Inc. President•4-H Foundation Board Member•Peace River Valley Citrus Growers Association Board Member •Florida Citrus Mutual Member•Manatee County Farm Bureau Member•Manatee River Soil and Water Conservation District Supervisor•Manatee County Agricultural Museum Board of Directors

Portrait Coming Soon

Manatee County Agricultural Hall of Fame

Education

Transcript of Manatee County Agricultural Hall of Fame