Renowned dairyman Don Bennink’s leadership and unwavering standard of excellence have had a profound impact on the dairy industry in Florida and around the world. A native of western New York, Bennink began milking cows in junior high school and would continue until his graduation from Cornell University in 1963. Slowly he expanded operations while...

Richard Gaskalla spent four decades on the front lines defending Florida agriculture from plant pests and diseases and protecting markets and the environment. Throughout his regulatory career, he was hailed as astute, fair-minded and empathetic to producers under siege by phytosanitary threats. Gaskalla developed a green thumb at an early age helping his grandfather, who...

Through the invention of his patented bulk fertilizer hauler in 1952, Sam Killebrew helped to revolutionize agriculture. The hauler provided an easier, more efficient and cost-effective way to deliver nutrients to many crops – most notably citrus, Florida’s signature crop. The machinery – known as “The Killebrew” – eliminated the manual handling of fertilizer, including...

As president of the Florida Fruit & Vegetable Association for 26 years, Mike Stuart has been a highly respected leader, ambassador and spokesperson for Florida specialty crop agriculture. His leadership and dedicated service have benefited the grower-shipper community statewide, regionally and nationally. Throughout his career, he has been a sought-out source of knowledge and expertise...