Elton L. Hinton
Elton L. Hinton was born in Alabama and graduated from Auburn University with a degree in agricultural education. He came to Florida in 1948 to teach agriculture at Turkey Creek High School, where he remained until 1967, when he became supervisor for vocational agriculture programs in Hillsborough County. He also obtained a master's degree from the University of Florida.
Hinton was a strong influence in developing the instructional curriculum for vocational agriculture in Florida and he worked endless hours for better legislation, policies and funding for vocational programs. Today, his former students are found in leadership positions throughout the agricultural industry.
During his career, Hinton was a leader in numerous civic and professional organizations at the local, state and national level, including the Florida Vocational Agricultural Teachers Association and the Plant city Kiwanis Club. He was a founding member of the Florida Strawberry Growers Association and helped develop a strawberry marketing cooperative in Hillsborough County. He also provided leadership for the youth livestock program at the Florida State Fair.
Among the numerous awards Hinton received were honorary county, state and national degrees from the Future Farmers of America, the Distinguished Service Award from the Florida Farm Bureau Federation and induction into the Hall of Fame of the Florida Strawberry Growers Association and the Florida Vocational Association.
Throughout his teaching career, Hinton maintained involvement in production agriculture, producing strawberries and various vegetable crops. Since retiring from the education field in 1979, he has expanded his farming operation and developed an agricultural marketing firm in partnership with three of his sons.
