Eugene Badger was born in Hastings, Florida, and grew up on his family’s potato farm. This early connection to agriculture grew into a lifelong commitment to advancing Florida agriculture and advocating on its behalf. Badger graduated from the University of Florida in 1949 with a B.S.A. in agriculture economics and education. Following graduation, he began […]
William Cook
William Cook was born in Tallahassee, Florida, where he graduated from Leon High School. Cook then moved to Callahan, Florida, to join his uncle’s turpentine and pulpwood business in 1946. After Cook’s service in the United States Air Force, he returned to his career in Callahan where he began building his forestry legacy through the […]
Joe Marlin Hilliard
Joe Marlin Hilliard was born in Fort Myers, Florida, and grew up in Hendry County, where he graduated from Clewiston High School in 1961. Following graduation, Hilliard began working on Hilliard Brothers Cattle Ranch, which was founded by his grandfather in 1906 and later owned by his father and uncle in the 1920s. Hilliard implemented […]
Dr. W. Bernard Lester
Dr. W. Bernard Lester was born in Havana, Florida, and grew up on a “shadeback farm” that produced the tobacco plants that provided the outer wrappers for cigars. Lester was involved in Havana High School’s Future Farmers of America, earned an Eagle Scout designation and received the Service Award from the American Legion. Following his […]
Thomas H. Braddock
Thomas H. Braddock was born in Duval County, Florida. He currently manages his cattle and timber operation while remaining active in the Florida agricultural community. Braddock attended the University of Florida where he earned a B.A. and M.S. in Agriculture. While in the graduate program, Braddock began to study methods to reduce winter maintenance costs […]
Dr. Joseph C. Joyce
Dr. Joseph C. Joyce was born in Jacksonville, Florida. He obtained his B.S. and M.S. at the University of Alabama, and later obtained his Ph.D from the University of Florida in Forest Resources and Conservation. His first professional experience began in 1972 with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. The highlight of his career with […]
Billy Kempfer
Billy Kempfer was born in Melbourne, Florida and graduated from Polk State College with an A.S. in Animal Science. He is partner with his brother and family on Deer Park Ranch-Kempfer Cattle Company located in Brevard and Osceola Counties. The ranch is a diversified operation with commercial beef cattle along with Purebred Brahman and Angus […]
Dr. Charles F. “Chip” Hinton
Born in Nashua, New Hampshire, Dr. Charles F. “Chip” Hinton grew up in Pensacola. He attended the University of Florida, obtaining a B.S. and M.S. in Agriculture and a Ph.D. in Poultry Products. Later, while on sabbatical at NCSU, he completed an ABD (all but dissertation) for an Ed.D in Education Administration. Through his strong leadership […]
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