May 31, 2000
Nominations for Woman of the Year in Agriculture" are now being accepted, Crawford Announces
TALLAHASSEE -- Florida Agriculture Commissioner Bob Crawford today announced that nominations are being accepted for the 2000 "Woman of the Year in Agriculture" award.
The award, now in its 16th year, recognizes women who have made outstanding contributions to Florida agriculture.
"This award spotlights the vital role of women in Florida agriculture and serves to encourage other women to get involved in the business," Crawford said. "Many women have made significant contributions over the years in developing and sustaining what is now a $6 billion industry."
Those nominated for the award will be judged by a panel familiar with Florida agriculture. The award will be presented in February at the opening-day luncheon of the 2001 Florida State Fair in Tampa.
The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, which sponsors the event, has sent nomination forms to agricultural organizations around the state. The deadline for submitting nominations to the Department is November 1, 2000. Nominations remain active for two years; after that time they must be resubmitted in order to be considered. Forms are available from the Department.
Previous winners of the award are:
| 1999 |
Vina Jean Banks of Balm, operator of family cattle operation and tropical fish farm. |
| 1998 |
Nancy Gurnett Hardy of Winter Haven, publisher of "The Florida Citrus Reporter" and writer for other trade publications. |
| 1997 |
Gertrude "Trudy" Carey of Hillsborough County, manager of family beef and cattle businesses and promoter of the beef industry. |
| 1996 |
Norma Stokes of Highlands County, a cattlewoman and effective communicator for the cattle industry and Florida agriculture. |
| 1995 |
Louve "Vee" Frierson Platt of Clewiston, sugar cane grower and supporter of Glades farmers |
| |
Patricia Robbins of Miami, executive director of Farm Share Inc., a non-profit food recovery and distribution organization. |
| 1994 |
Anne Wardlaw Dickinson of Frostproof, an educator and promoter of Florida agriculture involved in citrus and cattle production. |
| 1993 |
Sarah W. Bailey of St. Johns County, a cattlewoman active in agricultural and environmental issues. |
| 1992 |
Carol C. Murphy, owner and operator of a foliage-production business in Volusia County. |
| 1991 |
Ruth M. Tucker, Brevard County cattlewoman. |
| 1990 |
Jeanette Barthle, Pasco County cattlewoman. |
| 1989 |
Belle Jeffords, owner and operator of a cattle and farming operation in Alachua County. |
| 1988 |
Carolyn Reed Kempfer, owner and operator of the 30,000-acre Deer Park Ranch in Osceola and Brevard counties. |
| 1987 |
Dorothy Conner Shipes, a Lake County citrus grower and former Florida Citrus Commission member. |
| 1986 |
Ruth Wedgworth, a businesswoman, farmer, and civic leader from Belle Glade. |
| 1985 |
Jo Ann Smith, former assistant secretary with the U.S. Department of Agriculture and Marion County rancher. |
For more information:
Richard Gunnels
(850) 488-3022
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