The 2011 Winner: Sarah K. Childs
Sarah K. Childs, Environmental and Safety Coordinator for Lykes Brothers in Lake Placid, has been selected to receive the “Woman of the Year in Agriculture Award” for 2012. The award recognizes women who have made outstanding contributions to Florida agriculture. It is sponsored by the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services and the Florida State Fair Authority. The award will be presented on February 13, 2012, during a special luncheon at the Florida State Fair in Tampa.
Sarah K. Childs was born in Macomb, Illinois, in 1947. Since moving to Florida in 1971 and helping her family run Buck Island Ranch, Childs has been a dedicated member and volunteer on behalf of the Florida beef industry and its auxiliary organizations. Her active participation in livestock-related affiliates at the county, state and national levels has earned the admiration of her colleagues and her community. The Florida Cattlemen’s Association and the American and Florida CattleWomen Associations are among the many organizations which have benefitted from Childs’ passion and dedication. Within each organization, she rose to leadership positions and was the only woman to serve two non-consecutive terms as President of the Florida CattleWomen’s Association. Childs also received the Outstanding CowBelle award in 1993 from the Florida CattleWomen.
Having served over twenty years on the Advisory Committee for the South Florida Beef-Forage Program, Childs has made it her mission to educate and inform the public about the Florida cattle industry and the importance of including beef as part of a healthy diet. She has also participated in consumer and youth education programs to increase awareness of the safety and quality of Fresh from Florida beef products. As an example of her tireless crusade, Childs has been recognized for her involvement in a number of special projects and events such as Farm City Week, the Know Your Beef short course, the Florida Cattleman’s Association Foundation (FCAF), the FCAF Ranch Rodeo, Feed the Hungry program and Animal Rights Coalition. Whether she is enlightening legislators, consumers or students about agriculture’s positive impact on Florida’s economy, Childs has become known as a beloved ambassador of the agricultural and livestock industries.
Sarah K. Childs lives in Lake Placid, where she is involved with the local 4-H and county youth fair. She has two grown children, ShareenLynn Childs and JohnTravis Childs.
