Farms.com Home   Ag Industry News

Florida Agriculture Hall of Fame honorees announced

Induction ceremony scheduled for February 9th, 2016

By Diego Flammini, Farms.com

Agriculture is one of Florida’s most important industries with an annual economic impact of nearly $120 billion and responsible for keeping more than two million Floridians employed.

Florida’s Agriculture Hall of Fame honors those who dedicated their lives to improving agriculture throughout the state and Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Adam Putnam announced the Hall of Fame inductees for 2016.

“Every new generation of agricultural leaders builds on the achievements of those who preceded them, and these (four) men have dedicated their lives to advancing Florida's agriculture industry and mentoring our youth,” Commissioner Putnam said.

The honorees for 2016 are Thomas H. Braddock, Dr. Joseph C. Joyce, Billy Kempfer and Dr. Charles “Chip” F. Hinton.

A little bit about the honorees:

Thomas H. Braddock

  • Born in Duval County, Florida and currently manages a cattle and timber operation
  • While in the graduate program at the University of Florida, he studied ways to reduce winter maintenance costs for beef cattle
  • Conducted a research project called “Interval Feeding of Ruminants” for 12 weeks
  • Led the 4-H Youth Development program in 1957 and from 1975 to 1991, hosted a show called “Hi Neighbor” that featured guests, discussions and demonstrations about agriculture and other subjects
  • Along with his wife Mary, they pledged $1.7 million to the University of Florida Foundation to support the state’s 4-H Leadership Program

Dr. Joseph C. Joyce

  • Born in Jacksonville, Florida and received Ph.D in Forest Resources and Conservation from the University of Florida
  • Served with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and in the Army Reserve, retiring with the rank of Brigadier General
  • Joined the University of Florida’s Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (IFAS) in 1983 as the Director of the Center for Aquatic and Invasive Plants
  • Oversaw IFAS budgets, administration, information technology, and facilities planning. As Associate Vice President he helped add more than 800,000 square feet of educational space.

Billy Kempfer

  • Born in Melbourne, Florida and earned an Associate of Science degree from Polk State College in Animal Science
  • Along with his brother, they run Deer Park Ranch-Kempfer Cattle Company in Brevard and Osceola counties
  • Currently serves as Chairman of the St. Johns River Water Management Agricultural Advisory Committee and has been on the committee in some capacity since it began
  • Served as President of the St. Johns River Food Producers Association

Dr. Charles “Chip” F. Hinton

  • Born in Nashua, New Hampshire and grew up in Pensacola.
  • Received a B.S. and M.S. in Agriculture and Ph.D. in Poultry Products from the University of Florida
  • While serving as Executive Director of the Florida Strawberry Growers Association, he helped develop new varieties including Sweet Charlie, Festival and Radiance.
  • As a result of his work, in the 1980s nearly 5,000 acres of strawberries were grown, generating nearly $50 million

The induction ceremony is scheduled for February 9th, 2016 and Farms.com would like to extend its congratulations to all the honorees. 


Trending Video

US “Flash Drought” Worst in 133-160 Years + Disease taking a Bite out of US 2025 Corn/Soybean Crops

Video: US “Flash Drought” Worst in 133-160 Years + Disease taking a Bite out of US 2025 Corn/Soybean Crops


A dry August and a “flash drought” in the ECB (Eastern Corn Belt) the driest top 10 to 15 years in 150 to 160 years (Ohio the driest in 133 years) plus disease is taking a bite out of the 2025 U.S. corn and soybean crops.
It's going to be an early harvest. This could be the start of the 89-year drought cycle that may have been delayed until 2026 as La Nina maybe returning.
The USDA September crop report is all about record corn ears and record soybean counts but the October USDA crop report will be about pod and ear weights.
Stats Canada reported higher forecasts for the 2025 Canadian Prairies all wheat and canola crops vs. last year based on satellite imagery but are they overestimating production?
The 2025 Great ON Yield Tour and Quebec crop tours are projecting corn and soybean crops below the 10-year average.
China's Vice Commerce Ministry Li Chenggang visits Washington this week as we continue to connect the dots is a positive sign towards a China/U.S. trade deal. But will U.S. farmers have a winter without China as they buy more soybeans from Uruguay/Argentina? U.S. Northern Plain soybean farmers are seeing red with flat prices at $8.97/bu!
U.S. corn exports on record pace up 99% vs. last year.
Fund short covering continues in corn futures bottom is in!