Nominations open for Florida’s Woman of the Year in Agriculture

Jun 17, 2015

Deadline for nominations is Saturday, August 15th, 2015

Women play a crucial role in Florida’s agriculture and the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services honors one woman with the prestigious Woman of the Year in Agriculture award.

Female holding award

Women from different parts of agriculture including cattle, vegetables, timber, dairy, citrus, row crops, agricultural journalism and agricultural education have all been honored with the award – that goes to the woman who makes a significant contribution to Florida’s agriculture industry.

Nomination applications will be accepted until Saturday, August 15^th, 2015. The nominee must:

Be at least 25 years old
Be active in agriculture and has lived in Florida for the past 10 consecutive years
Have at least 10 years of experience in the agriculture industry
Have served her community in a professional and/or civic way
Have made a unique or outstanding contribution to Florida’s agriculture industry.

The winner will be honored at the 2016 Florida State Fair in Tampa.

Earlier in 2015, Belinda G. Chason was named the 2014 Woman of the Year in Agriculture. She was honored for her more than 40 years of service and contributions to agricultural education. She became the first female Executive Director of the Future Farmers of America (FFA) in Florida and the first female to serve on the National FFA Board of Directors.

Who would you nominate for Florida’s Woman of the Year in Agriculture award?

Video: Winter Service Inspections for John Deere Equipment - The FarmCast Ep64

The FarmCast, host Troy Randall speaks with Doug Luedke, Vice President of Service, and Davin Peterson, Executive Vice President of Aftermarket at 21st Century Equipment, to discuss the importance of proactive service and how it helps farmers reduce downtime during their busiest seasons. The conversation focuses on the Winter Service Inspection Program, a comprehensive approach designed to keep equipment running at peak performance and limit costly in-season breakdowns through preventative maintenance and expert technician support.

Doug and Devin explain how 21st Century Equipment’s service teams have evolved to meet the needs of today’s connected machines. With more technology and data integrated into modern equipment, technicians now play a vital role in both mechanical repairs and precision ag support. Through advanced diagnostics, machine monitoring, and John Deere’s Expert Alerts, they can identify and address potential issues before they become major problems—saving customers valuable time, money, and frustration.

Throughout the discussion, the team shares real-world success stories demonstrating how proactive inspections and customer-focused service help maximize uptime and efficiency for every operation. Whether it’s a large tractor, combine, or small mower, the goal remains the same: to provide trusted, reliable support that helps farmers and landowners stay productive and confident in their equipment year-round.