Agriculture Commissioner Nicole “Nikki” Fried and the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services announced Dr. Jennifer Taylor as the 2020 Woman of the Year in Agriculture.
For 35 years, this recognition has been awarded to women who have made exceptional contributions to Florida agriculture. Honorees come from throughout the agriculture community, including cattle, horticulture, timber, citrus, agriculture education, and more.
“It’s my honor to announce Dr. Jennifer Taylor as Florida’s Woman of the Year in Agriculture for her many contributions and outstanding leadership within our state’s agriculture community,” stated Commissioner Fried. “Forward thinkers and advocates like her are working to break barriers while leading the charge towards sustainable practices. Dr. Taylor’s dedication to underserved farming communities and focus on organic farming systems is a source of inspiration — I am proud to recognize her accomplishments and continued commitment to our state’s growers.”
Dr. Jennifer Taylor is an associate professor in the College of Agriculture and Food Sciences (CAFS) at Florida A&M University. In 2018, she was appointed to serve on the Cornucopia Institute’s Policy Advisory Panel, a farm policy research group that provides education and support of ecological principles and economics underlying sustainable and organic agriculture.
Through CAFS, Dr. Taylor has utilized her expertise as a small farm specialist to develop and coordinate the Statewide Small Farm Program with a focus on food systems and sustainable agriculture. The program has been pivotal in providing Florida farmers education, hands-on training, and technical assistance in alternative agriculture systems, organic farming systems, sustainable living for underserved farming communities, and other services.
Dr. Taylor currently chairs the National Organic Standards Board Material Committee for the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) National Organic Program, and has served on the USDA Advisory Committee for Beginning Farmers and Ranchers. She is part of the Organic Farmers , serving as Vice President of its Governing Council and Policy Committee, is a member of the United States Food Sovereignty Alliance (USFSA), and participates on the Executive Board of the International Federation of Organic Agriculture Movements North America.
Since 2010, she and her husband have relaunched and still operate her grandmother’s organic farm in Glenwood, Georgia.
The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, in conjunction with the Florida State Fair Authority and the Florida Farm Bureau Women’s Leadership Program, will honor Dr. Jennifer Taylor as the 2020 Woman of the Year in Agriculture during the Florida State Fair in Tampa.
The ceremony will take place on Monday, February 10, 2020 at 12 PM at the Bob Thomas Equestrian Center on the Florida State Fairgrounds. For more information on tickets, contact the Florida State Fair at 813-627-4221.