2. 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
3. Edgar Hilleary Price, Jr.
1918-2012
Outstanding Agriculturist
1968
•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
4. Robert Blake Whisenant
1929-
Outstanding Agriculturist
1969
•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
5. Robert Billingsley Whisenant
1903-1978
Outstanding Agriculturist
1969
•Farmer
•Engineer
•Inventor
•Started “Wide-Row” Farming
System
•Invented Many Implements for
Vegetable Production
•Florida Agricultural Hall of Fame,
1997
6. T.P. “Tip” Winter
1900-1983
Outstanding Agriculturist
1970
•“Mr. FFA”
•Vocational AgricultureTeacher for 40
years
•Future Farmers of America
•Order of the Owl
7. John N. McClure
1900-1977
Outstanding Agriculturist
1971
•Vegetable Grower
•Cattleman
•Banker
•Charter Member, Manatee River
Soil and Water Conservation District
•Founder, West CoastTomato
•Manatee Agriculture Distinguished
Service Award
9. Irving Harris Stewart
1922-1998
Outstanding Agriculturist
1973
•“Mister Conservation”
•Farm Bureau Friend of Agriculture
Award
•Manatee River Soil and Water
Conservation District
Conservationist of theYear Award,
1998
•Florida Wildlife Conservationist
Award
•Manatee County Distinguished
Citizen Award, 1983
•Charter Member, Manatee County
Agricultural Museum
•Deacon
10. Donald Stafford Burgis
1913-2004
Outstanding Agriculturist
1974
•Horticulturist
•Research
•Gulf Coast Research & Education
Center 1946-1980
•Helped make dramatic changes in
the Florida Vegetable Industry
11. Ed Lee Ayers
1892 -1989
Outstanding Agriculturist
1975
•Entomologist
•Manatee County Agricultural Agent,
18 years
•State Plant Board Commissioner
•Manatee County Distinguished
Citizen Award, 1972
•Palmetto Historical Commission
13. E.J. “Jack” Beazley
1902-1984
Outstanding Agriculturist
1977
•Vegetable Grower
•Conservationist
•“Outstanding Conservationist,”
Manatee River Soil and Water
Conservation District, 1968
14. Peter Stuart Harllee
1913-2003
Outstanding Agriculturist
1978
•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
15. Thurmond L. Smith
1914-1977
Manatee County Agricultural Hall of Fame
1978
•Rancher
•Manatee County Cattlemen’s
Association
•Manatee County Historical Society
•Manatee County Horsemen’s
Association
16. Anthony T. Rossi
1900-1993
Outstanding Agriculturist
1979
•Founder,Tropicana, Inc.
•Inventor
•Citrus Marketing
•Manatee County Distinguished
Citizen, 1958
•Florida Agricultural Hall of Fame, 1987
17. W. Harper Kendrick
1913-1968
Manatee County Agricultural Hall of Fame
1979
•County Agent 1952-1967
•USDA Superior Service Award, 1962
•Distinguished Service Award
•Bradenton Kiwanis Club
18. William P. Mixon, Jr.
1928-2016
Outstanding Agriculturist
1980
•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
19. Will E. Waters
1931-2013
Outstanding Agriculturist
1981
•Horticulture
•Director of Gulf Coast Research and
Education Center
•Published 240 Scientific, Technical
Papers
•Winner of many research awards
20. 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
22. R. Earle Lucas, Jr.
1918-2014
Outstanding Agriculturist
1983
•Agri-business
•CEO, Producer Fertilizer Company
•Kiwanis Club
•4-H Foundation
•Farm CityWeek
•Agriculture Advisory Council
•Charter Member, Manatee County
Agricultural Museum
•2002 Florida 4-H Hall of Fame
•2009 Outstanding Citizen of
Manatee County
23. Norma G. Gill
1930-2000
Outstanding Agriculturist
1984
•Agricultural Reporter
•Manatee River Soil and Water
Conservation District Supervisor
•Cattlewoman
• Florida Association of County
Agents Outstanding Agriculturist
Award, 1980
•Palmetto Historical Commission
24. J. Randolph Snell
1923-2014
Outstanding Agriculturist1985
•Dairyman
•Chairman of Pollution Control Board
when Local Air and Water Pollution
Act adopted
•Co-Organizer of theTampa
Independent Dairy Farmers
Association
•Author
25. Walter L. Preston
1928-
Outstanding Agriculturist
1986
•Horticulturist
•Citrus and Flowers
•President, Manatee Fruit Company
•Governor’s Task Force, Future of
Florida Agriculture
•“Outstanding Agriculturist”, Florida
Association of County Agents, 1980
26. Victor C. “Vick” Blackstone
1912-1987
Manatee County Agricultural Hall of Fame
1987
•Cattleman
•National Cowboy Hall of Fame, 1982
•Manatee County Distinguished
Citizen, 1980
•Named “Outstanding Man in
Agriculture” by Florida County Agents
Association, 1978
27. A.B. “Archie” Powell
1912-2005
Outstanding Agriculturist
1987
•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 CountyTax Assessor ,
1961-1974
28. Henry Wildes Harrison
1880-1951
Manatee County Agricultural Hall of Fame
1987
•Cattleman
•Meat Packer
•Conservationist
•Pioneer in using Brahman Cattle
and improved pasture grasses
29. Pliny Ward Reasoner
1863-1888
Manatee County Agricultural Hall of Fame
1987
•Horticulture
•Florida Agricultural Hall of Fame,
1981
•Co-Founder of Florida’s Oldest
Continually Operated Nursery
30. Egbert Norman Reasoner
1869-1926
Manatee County Agricultural Hall of Fame
1987
•Horticulture
•Florida Agricultural Hall of Fame,
1980
•Co-Founder of Florida’s Oldest
Continually Operated Nursery
31. Henry Clifford Webb
1865-1917
Manatee County Agricultural Hall of Fame
1987
•Inventor
•General Contractor
•Built “Webb” Plow for
land clearing
•WardTemple AME church
•Master Mason
32. Kimball Chase Atwood
1853-1934
Manatee County Agricultural Hall of Fame
1988
•Citrus Pioneer
•Seaboard Railroad Director
•Atwood Grapefruit Company
•World’s largest grapefruit grove, 1895
•Banker
33. Robert Johnson “Jack” Taylor
1911-1996
Outstanding Agriculturist
1988
•Agri-business
•Vegetable Grower
•Banker
•Conservationist
•Promoted Drip Irrigation
•Packinghouse Owner
•Improved Migrant Housing and
Labor
34. John Pope Harllee, Jr.
1909-1961
Manatee County Agricultural Hall of Fame
1988
•Vegetable Grower
•Banker
•Manatee County School Board
•President, Bradenton Production
Credit Association
•Florida Fruit andVegetable
Association
•Cattlemen’s Association
•Rotary
35. Dan P. McClure
1926-2006
Outstanding Agriculturist
1989
•Farmer and Rancher
•County Commissioner for 16 years
•Inducted into the Florida
Agricultural Hall of Fame 2010
•West Coast Inland Navigation
District
•StateTomato Committee
•Sarasota-Manatee Airport Authority
•Kiwanis Club of Bradenton
•Salvation Army
•Charter Member Manatee County
Agricultural Museum
•Sunday SchoolTeacher
36. Eugene Abe Mixon
1935-
Outstanding Agriculturist
1989
•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
37. Cecil Ray Burnett
1909-1987
Manatee County Agricultural Hall of Fame
1989
•Family Farmer
•Vegetable & Citrus
•Conservationist
•Outstanding Conservationist,
Manatee River Soil and Water
Conservation District, 1960
•Florida Banker’s Association
Conservation Award, 1962
•Deacon
38. John Agostini Blaser, Sr.
1902-1966
Manatee County Agricultural Hall of Fame
1989
•Horticulturist
•Pioneer in House Plants
•Innovator of Nursery Productions &
Marketing Techniques
•Premiered Interior Foliage Industry
•Patented Dracaena “Baby Doll”
39. Lawrence Lundy Dirr
1883-1963
Manatee County Agricultural Hall of Fame
1990
•Father of Commercial Gladiolus
Industry in Florida
•Organizer and First President,
Florida Gladiolus Growers Association
•Florida Flower Association
40. Carl Campbell Fraser
1881-1962
Manatee County Agricultural Hall of Fame
1990
•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
41. Amegda Jack Overman
1920-2011
Outstanding Agriculturist
1990
•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 ofTropicAmerican
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
42. Emmett Alexander McCray
1914-2004
Outstanding Agriculturist
1991
•Teacher
•Farmer
•Agri-business
•NFA Advisor, Lincoln High School,
25 years
•Farm Co-op Organizer
•Order of the Owl
•President, Manatee Teacher
Association
•Deacon
43. Sylvester John Lynch
1910-1976
Manatee County Agricultural Hall of Fame 1991
•Horticulturist
•Nurseryman
•Researcher
•Florida State Horticultural Society
•Florida Nursery Growers Association
•Founding Member Mango Forum
•Lychee Growers Association
President
44. Grover Cleveland Vowell
1885-1971
Manatee County Agricultural Hall of Fame
1991
•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
45. Edward Cooper McLean
1871-1937
Manatee County Agricultural Hall of Fame
1992
•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
46. Robert Ogden Magie
1906-1997
Manatee County Agricultural Hall of Fame
1992
•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
48. Carroll M. Geraldson
1918-2007
Outstanding Agriculturist
1993
•Soil Chemist
•Horticulture
•Ag Research
•Gulf Coast Research and Education
Center, 1951-1990
•Researched Black Heart in Celery and
Blossom End Rot inTomato
•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
49. Herman Gates Burnett
1903-1972
Manatee County Agricultural Hall of Fame
1993
•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
50. Eric Vernon Golby
1908-2004
Manatee County Agricultural Hall of Fame
1993
•“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
51. John Pope Harllee, Sr.
1882-1962
Manatee County Agricultural Hall of Fame
1994
•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
52. Herbert E. Cook
1928-2003
Outstanding Agriculturist1994
•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
53. Raymond F. Lee, Jr.
1924-2009
Outstanding Agriculturist
1995
•Educator
•Teacher, Agriculture, Manatee
County High School, 10 years
•Adult andVocational Director of
Community Program 1961-1992
•Developed program from site to
completion of FirstVo-Tech Center in
Florida
•Executive Director of Manatee
County Farm Bureau
•Charter Member, Manatee County
Agricultural Museum
54. Walton “Tink” Fulford
1903-1965
Manatee County Agricultural Hall of Fame
1995
•Commercial Fisherman
•Philanthropist
•Cortez Leader and Supporter
•An example of life committed to
Fishing Resources, his community
(Cortez) and his family
55. Bryon M. Smith, Sr.
1910-1990
Manatee County Agricultural Hall of Fame
1996
•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
56. John Peachey
1935-
Outstanding Agriculturist
1996
•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
57. John A. Blaser II
1932-2007
Outstanding Agriculturist
1997
•Nurseryman
•Former President, Florida Nursery
Growers Association
•Outstanding Florida Nurseryman of
theYear
•State Landscape Architects Board
•Established State FNGATrade Show
•“Lay Extension Leader”
58. Hiram Thomas “Tom” Reeder
1896-1949
Manatee County Agricultural Hall of Fame
1997
•Innovative Farmer and Rancher
•Churchman
•Humanitarian
•Manatee County Growers
Association
•Director, Ruskin Growers Co-op
•Navy, World War I
59. David G.A. Kelbert
1894-1971
Manatee County Agricultural Hall of Fame
1998
•Tomato Breeder and Researcher
•Florida Fruit andVegetable
Association Research Award, 1965
•Gulf Coast Research and Education
Center
•Southwest Florida Research and
Education Center
60. Richard M. Aalberg
1939-
Outstanding Agriculturist
1998
•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 FiveYear Museum Board
Member
61. William H. Gillett
1846-1916
Manatee County Agricultural Hall of Fame
1999
•First CommercialTomato Grower
•Founder Parrish Baptist Church
•Pioneer Cattleman
•Fruit Grower
63. Joel Hendrix
1811-1892
Manatee County Agricultural Hall of Fame
2000
•First Citrus Shipper
•First in GreenVegetable Shipping
•First General Store in Palmetto
•First Palmetto Postmaster
64. 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
65. Kathryn Vassel Kermode
1914-2011
Manatee County Agricultural Hall of Fame
2001
•First Female Commercial Vegetable
Grower in Manatee County
•Author
•Manatee County Historical
Commission
•Palmetto Historical Commission
•Distinguished Service Award
•Eastern Star
66. John Jacob Diem
1919 -
Outstanding Agriculturist
2001
•Chairman of Board, Southern Ag
•Entrepreneur
•Ag Advisor
•Rotarian
•Deacon
•Community Leader
67. Franklin Clifford Armstrong
1858-1930
Manatee County Agricultural Hall of Fame
2002
•EarlyTerra 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
68. Travis E. Seawright
1939-2016
Outstanding Agriculturist
2002
•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
69. Ralph C. Garrison
1953-
Outstanding Agriculturist
2003
•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 CityWeek Committee
70. James Munday Walter
1906-1967
Manatee County Agricultural Hall of Fame
2003
•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
71. Royce C. Williams
1938-2015
Outstanding Agriculturist
2004
•Native of Palmetto
•Graduate of University of Florida
•4-H Agent, Citrus County
•County Agent, Lake County
•Agriculture Instructor atVo-Tech
•Developed Nursery Operations
Program atVo-Tech
•Established first certification
program in Florida for Nursery and
Lawn Maintenance Professionals
•Supervisor ofVocational and
Technical Education for Manatee
County Schools
72. Thomas Jefferson Russell
1902-1953
Manatee County Agricultural Hall of Fame
2005
•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
73. Thomas “Blue” Fulford
1931-2015
Manatee County Agricultural Hall of Fame
2004
•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
74. James Edward “Jim” Parks
1944-
Outstanding Agriculturist
2005
•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
75. Otto M. Bundy
1926-2009
Outstanding Agriculturist
2006
•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 CountyAgricultural Museum
Board of Directors 2005-2009
•Manatee County Marine Extension
Advisory Committee 1979-2009
•Manatee CountyCommercial Horticulture
ExtensionAdvisory Committee , 1972-2009
•Manatee County ExtensionAdvisory
Committee ,1987-2005
•Manatee CountyChamber of Commerce,
Environmental Committee 1983-86
•Manatee County Land Development Code
CitizenAdvisory Committee, 1978
•Manatee River Soil andWater
Conservation District Supervisor 1982-1984
•Veteran served in U.S. Navy duringWorld
War II in the PacificTheatre
76. Betty Keen Glassburn
1945-
Outstanding Agriculturist
2007
•Born Keentown (Duette), Fl
•Member Century Pioneer Farm Family
•Florida 4-H Hall of Fame, inducted 2002
•Lifetime Member Dry Prairie Baptist
Church
•Manatee CountyAgricultural Member
Board of Directors
•Manatee County Farm CityWeek
Committee, Originator of Farm CityWeek
AgTour
•Manatee County 4-H Foundation over 30
Years
•Leader Mighty 4-H’ers of Duette over 30
years
•Manatee River Soil andWater
Conservation District, Supervisor 6 years
•Manatee County Extension Service
Employee 15 years
77. John Taylor
1943-
Manatee County Agricultural Hall of Fame
2006
•Taylor & Fulton, Inc.
•FloridaTomato Committee Board of
Directors
•FloridaTomato Growers Exchange
•BradentonYacht Club Board of
Directors
•Southwest FloridaWater Management
District Agriculture Advisory Committee
•Active inTomato Production in Florida,
Georgia, andVirginia 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
78. Robert Jay Taylor
1955-
Manatee County Agricultural Hall of Fame
2006
•Taylor & Fulton, Inc.
•Gulf Coast Research & Education
Center Advisory Committee
•GREC Site Selection Committee 2001
•Florida Fruit andVegetable
Association Board of Directors
•FloridaTomato Committee Board of
Directors
•FloridaTomato Growers Exchange
•Founding Member QuincyTomato
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
79. Earl Walter “Nick” Baden, Jr
1939-
Manatee County Agricultural Hall of Fame
2008
•Farm CityWeek Committee Past
Treasurer
•Manatee CountyAgricultural Museum
Inaugural Board Member andArtifacts
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 DepartmentVolunteer
•Kiwanis Club of Bradenton
•Manatee County Bar Association
•Home is “theOld Felts Homestead”
•Helped preserve farm equipment,
machinery, the Harrison Bunkhouse, the
Fogarty Boathouse, and helped preserve
the replica of the Harllee Barn
80. James P. Gilreath
1947-
Manatee County Agricultural Hall of Fame
2007
•University of Florida IFAS, Gulf Coast
Research and Education Center,
Professor, HorticulturistWeed
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
81. Phyllis R. Gilreath
1952-
Manatee County Agricultural Hall of Fame
2007
•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 AppTeam Award for Outstanding
Design TeamVegetable 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
82. Ronald Gary Reeder
1953-
Outstanding Agriculturist
2008
•5th Generation Floridian
•4th Generation Manatee CountyTomatoGrower
•T.J. CarterAward for OutstandingConservation
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 AdvisoryCommittee
•Florida Farm BureauVegetableAdvisory
Committee
•Appointed byGovernor Jeb Bush to Florida
Pesticide Review Council
•Palmetto High School FFA Alumni Association
•Graduated Palmetto High School and attended
Manatee Junior College
83. Henry Brown Parrish
1911-1993
Manatee County Agricultural Hall of Fame
2009
•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 FFAYouth
Programs
•Sponsored Manatee County
Cattlemen’s “Sweetheart Contest”
84. Brenda Gay Rogers
1958-
Outstanding Agriculturist
2009
•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 CityWeek
Committee
85. Francis “Frank” Connor
1893-1953
Manatee County Agricultural Hall of Fame
2010
•Seaboard Airline Railroad
Agricultural Agent
•Worked with growers and land
owners to match land needs and
negotiate land use, sale, or lease
•Authored articles forTampa Tribune,
Progressive Farmer and Agricultural
Journals
•Graduate of Clemson University, SC
•U.S. ArmyVeteran
86. 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 InternationalTrade
Task Force Committee
•Member Manatee County Friends of
Extension
•University of FL IFASVice President’s
Agriculture Council.
87. John James O’Connor Jr.
1942-
Manatee County Agricultural Hall of Fame
2010
•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-HYouth
Programs
88. Faye Blackstone
1915-2011
Manatee County Agricultural Hall of Fame
2011
•RodeoTrick 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
89. William Lee “Buck” Strickland
1938-
Outstanding Agriculturist
2011
•Vegetable & Citrus Grower
•C.R. Burnett & Sons
•Early User of Low-Volume Irrigation
for CitrusTomato Farming
•Owner, Shiloh Farms
•Manatee County Farm Bureau
•Palmetto High School Football
Boosters
90. Callon Carnelious Keen, Sr.
1911-1995
Manatee County Agricultural Hallof Fame
2012
•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
•FFAVolunteer
•4-H Leader
91. Ervin Howard Shannon
1946-
Outstanding Agriculturist
2012
•ManateeCountyVegetable Crops
Advisory Committee
•Farm CityWeekCommittee
•South Central Florida Small Farm
Planning Committee
•Florida Agricultural and
Mechanical University State
CooperativeAward, 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-HVolunteer
•Small Farm Advisory Committee
92. Balazs “Bill” Martom Orban
1923-
Outstanding Agriculturist
2013
•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
93. James Thomas “J.T.” Reeder
1920-2009
Manatee County Agricultural Hall of Fame
2013
•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
94. Richard B. “Dick” Shore
1898-1967
Manatee County Agricultural Hall of Fame
2014
•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 ofWhisenant-Shore
Farms which pioneered new
hybrid varieties such as cherry
tomatoes
•Founding member of the Florida
Fruit andVegetable Association
95. Linda Parks
1947 -
Manatee County Agricultural Hall of Fame
2014
•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
96. Callon “Buddy” Keen, Jr.
1950-
Outstanding Agriculturist
2014
•7th generation ManateeCounty
Resident
•Keen Farm & Grove Service, Inc Co-
Founder andVice President
•Keen & Keen Citrus, Inc. Co-
Founder andVice President
•C&S Grove Service, Inc. President
•4-H Foundation Board Member
•Peace RiverValley CitrusGrowers
Association Board Member
•Florida Citrus Mutual Member
•ManateeCounty Farm Bureau
Member
•Manatee River Soil andWater
Conservation District Supervisor
•ManateeCountyAgricultural
Museum Board of Directors
Portrait Coming Soon