TAMPA, Fla. – Tickets are on sale for the 36th annual Florida Agricultural Hall of Fame banquet on Feb. 10, which will honor four inductees who have made invaluable contributions to Florida agriculture.
The banquet, which each year celebrates the accomplishments of industry leaders who have served in research, education and business, is held in the Special Events Center at the Florida State Fairgrounds in Tampa. Tickets are $60 per person, and tables of eight are available. Tickets may be purchased online at http://floridaaghalloffame2015.eventbrite.com or by calling 813-230-1918.
“The contributions of these pioneering individuals have made Florida agriculture stronger,” said Reggie Brown, president of the Florida Agricultural Hall of Fame. “Their tireless, unselfish efforts to promote and protect Florida’s greatest industry will be recognized with the agricultural community’s highest honor.”
The Florida Agricultural Hall of Fame banquet reception starts at 5:30 p.m., and the dinner and program begin at 7 p.m. Online ticket sales close Feb. 6.
The Hall of Fame also is accepting nominations for next year. Nomination forms with detailed instructions may be downloaded and printed from the Florida Ag Hall of Fame website. Click on “Nominate” at the top. Forms and supporting materials must be postmarked no later than Sept. 1.
This year’s inductees bring the total to 152 who have been honored to date. They are:
Edward, Ferdinand and Joseph Duda – Oviedo
These three men, together and individually, represent significant contributions to both state and national agriculture. All three are members of the Duda family’s third generation and have represented their family’s collective ownership in the agriculture and real estate business known as A. Duda & Sons, Inc. by serving as president, CEO and chairman of the board for A. Duda and Sons, Inc.
Dr. Alvin C. Warnick – Gainesville
Warnick joined the University of Florida Animal Sciences Department in the 1950s at a time when the cattle industry of Florida was emerging from open-range eradication of fever tick and screw worms. It was in this environment that Warnick achieved his most significant contribution to improving the Florida cattle industry. He trained the next generation of industry leaders and produced a prodigious outpouring of scientific research in improving Florida’s beef cattle.
Pat Wilson – Frostproof
As president of Latt Maxcy Corp. for more than 36 years and owner of Crooked Lake Ranch, Pat Wilson was a well-known cattle rancher and citrus grower who gave his leadership, dedication and support to benefit Florida agriculture. Wilson also was a citrus pioneer, implementing many techniques that catapulted the company in production, harvesting and environmental application. Through his leadership on numerous committees and associations, he was dedicated to the promotion and improvement of the beef and citrus industries.
Robert Blake Whisenant – Manatee County
Whether mentoring students, working with university research/extension or sharing knowledge to foster a better understanding of agriculture, Whisenant spreads the message of protecting valuable soil and water resources. In addition, he began using Integrated Pest Management in its infancy. Through field trials on his crops, scientists developed thresholds for insects and diseases that would be the standard for IPM scouts. He also performed his own research on plant density, multiple-row planting on beds, fertilizer placement and the use of the “Earthbox,” which he invented.
For more information about this year’s Florida Agricultural Hall of Fame honorees and previous inductees, visit FloridaAgHallofFame.org.
Source: Agricultural Hall of Fame
