A Florida native who grew up in Union County on his family’s farm, Lowell Loadholtz spent a distinguished 33-year career with the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences as an Extension service director and agent in Escambia, Brevard and Okeechobee counties. His leadership and commitment to Florida agriculture has benefited and helped improve the lives of farm and urban families.

Over the decades, Loadholtz held numerous leadership positions with the National Association of County Agricultural Agents and the Florida Association of County Agricultural Agents. He received the Hall of Fame Award from the national organization in 2006 and was inducted into the Florida 4-H Hall of Fame in 2010.

Loadholtz worked throughout his career to ensure that agriculture was top of mind with local residents as well as lawmakers in Tallahassee and Washington, D.C. He planned more than 100 agriculture informational legislative days, seminars, tours and field days for growers, policy makers and media to showcase agricultural production, water issues and the environment. He wrote more than 1,500 newsletters and publications on farm and home life, and hosted an award-winning daily radio program that aired twice daily for 13 years.

Under his leadership, the Langley Bell 4-H Club Youth Building was built in Escambia County. Later, he led in the planning, funding and construction of the Brevard County Agricultural Center and 4-H Horse Arena. Throughout his career and even into retirement, he always believed in 4-H Youth and has developed and cultivated many strong leaders.

In his retirement, Loadholtz remains active in strong community service roles through farm, livestock, 4-H youth programs, the Rotary Club, church and other community public service activities and until recently he has served as a director in the Brevard County Cattlemen’s Association and Farm Bureau.