Agriculture Commissioner Adam Putnam and the Florida Agricultural Hall of Fame Foundation have announced four agricultural leaders in Florida who will be inducted into the Florida Agricultural Hall of Fame. The Agricultural Hall of Fame recognizes men and women who have made outstanding contributions to the state’s agriculture industry.
“The 2013 Florida Agricultural Hall of Fame inductees all exhibit dedication, service and commitment in improving their specialties, but also to educating the future leaders of Florida’s agriculture industry,” Commissioner Putnam said. “I commend each of these Floridians for their dedication to the betterment of the agriculture industry and our state.”
This year’s inductees are:
Daniel A. Botts – Maitland, FL: For more than three decades, Botts has been a leader in pesticide policy and a vital advocate on behalf of Florida growers and minor crop producers. Through his leadership on national pesticide policy, Botts has ensured the continued availability of critical products, such as methyl bromide, that make growing fresh fruits and vegetables viable in Florida. Botts serves on many important government and agriculture industry committees, including the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, Food Safety and Security Advisory Committee.
Charles H. Bronson–Kissimmee, FL: A fifth generation Floridian, Bronson served as Florida Commissioner of Agriculture from 2001 to 2010 and is a past Florida Senator and President of the Southern Association of State Departments of Agriculture in 2006. During his tenure as Commissioner of Agriculture, Bronson negotiated the settlement with BP to remedy effects of the Deepwater Horizon Gulf Oil Spill in 2010 and initiated the “Farm To Fuel” effort to position Florida as a leader in the production of alternative energy. Bronson currently owns and operates 1,333 acres of timber and perennial peanut hay in Madison County, Florida.
Dr. Paul L. Nicoletti– Gainesville, FL: Dr. Nicoletti’s field studies on bucellosis, or “Bang’s Disease” led to modifications in the use of brucellosis vaccine, which in turn saved the Florida cattle industry millions of dollars and ultimately led to the eradication of the disease in the state. Dr. Nicoletti continued his positive impact on the industry through education as a professor at the College of Veterniary Medicine at the University of Florida for more than 25 years.
Dr. Eugene E. Trotter- Gainesville, FL: The late Dr. Trotter dedicated his life to agriculture education and to increasing the leadership capacity of Florida agriculture. He established the Florida Leadership Program for Agriculture and Natural Resources at the University of Florida, which became the Wedgworth Leadership Institute for Agriculture and Natural Resources in 2002. Dr. Trotter raised more than $2 million to ensure the viability of the program.