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...

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...

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 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...

Today’s Animal Science Department of the University of Florida traces its modern origin to the early 1950’s when Dr. Alvin C. Warnick was amongst newly hired faculty that provided leadership to the cattle industry of Florida. Dr. Warnick joined the Animal Sciences Department at a time when the cattle industry of Florida was emerging from...

Blake Whisenant’s primary goal in agriculture is always to be a good steward of the land. Whether mentoring students, working with university research/extension or sharing knowledge to foster a better understanding of agriculture, Mr. Whisenant spreads the message of protecting our valuable soil and water resources. Many consider Mr. Whisenant a pioneer. He began using...

For 39 years Dallas Townsend worked as an agent with the University of Florida Cooperative Extension Service.  He spent his long career making sure that Southwest Florida farmers and ranchers reaped the benefits of the latest agricultural research. Townsend was born in Fort Myers in 1939.  He studied agriculture at the University of Florida, earning...