Commissioner Adam Putnam Announces Lisa Hinton as 2015 Woman of the Year in Agriculture

From the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services:

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Commissioner of Agriculture Adam H. Putnam announced today that Lisa Hinton, a fifth generation Floridian, has been named the 2015 Woman of the Year in Agriculture. Lisa Hinton has dedicated herself to the advancement of Florida agriculture, agriculture education and youth programs. The award, now in its 31st year, recognizes women who have made outstanding contributions to Florida agriculture.

“Lisa Hinton is a true advocate for Florida agriculture and the programs she has implemented and the individuals she has inspired will have a lasting impact on Florida agriculture for generations to come,” said Commissioner Adam H. Putnam. “I am proud to recognize her as the 2015 Woman of the Year in Agriculture, and I want to thank her for her years of dedicated service and contributions to agriculture and to all of Florida.”

Hinton grew up on a seed harvesting and cow-calf operation where she spent most of her summers working and developed an appreciation and respect for agriculture. When the National FFA Organization voted to allow female membership in 1970, a young Hinton jumped at the opportunity to join. She became the first female to be elected a State FFA officer in Florida. Hinton then went to the University of Florida where she graduated with a B.S. in Agricultural Education.

Hinton had an immeasurable impact on Florida’s youth programs while serving as the Director of Agribusiness for the Florida State Fair. Hinton placed a high priority on livestock education and her philosophy of “we’re raising kids not animals” led to the development of the Champion Youth Program at the Florida State Fair. The program has gained national recognition as a valuable teaching tool for the future contributors to the agriculture industry. In addition to the Champion Youth Program, Hinton also played a role in developing and implementing other important programs, such as the Youth Steer Futurity that showcases Florida cattle, Ag-Venture and the Youth Livestock Show Ethics Certifications.

After her retirement from the Florida State Fair, Hinton then promoted agricultural education on a state and national level by serving as the Executive Director of the Florida Federation of Fairs. In this role, she is able to impact the direction of 52 agricultural fairs in the state of Florida as well as over 200 associate members.

As a result of her dedication to Florida agriculture, education and youth programs, Hinton was inducted into the Florida 4-H Hall of Fame in 2002 and the Florida Federation of Fairs Hall of Fame in 2009.

The Woman of the Year in Agriculture award is sponsored by the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services and the Florida State Fair Authority and presented to the recipient during the 2016 Florida State Fair in Tampa.

For more information about the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, visit FreshFromFlorida.com.