The Florida Agricultural Hall of Fame works to honor agriculturists who have worked hard to make an impact. Their skills and knowledge have impacted Florida agriculture and made positive progress.
This year’s inductees were Jim Strickland, Madeline Mellinger and Cary and Marcia Lightsey. The Florida State Fair has an annual banquet to formally induct individuals into the hall of fame. It also offers two opportunities for youth in agriculture.
The first is a mentorship program students can apply to. This program allows participants to attend the banquet for free and mingle with agricultural leaders. The second provides $1,000 scholarships to high school and college students. Several FFA members attended this banquet.
The Night’s Events
Jim Strickland gives remarks.
The night started with mingling among students and industry leaders. Then mentees and mentors sat at the assigned tables to connect. Racheal Witherspoon from the Green Jean Foundation was one of the mentors present that evening.
“Being a mentor is being able to inspire somebody to think more critically about the problems and the challenges they’re going to face in the future,” she said. “So, it’s important to involve the people you are trying to inspire to think more critically about how they’re going to change things for the better.”
Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Wilton Simpson then recognized each of the hall of fame inductees and their accomplishments, including their important scientific contributions, community service and conservation efforts.
The 2024-25 Florida FFA State Officer Team.
A Monumental Event
In the end, members took a lot away from this experience. Zoe Warrensford from the Deltona Sr. FFA Chapter said the mentorship program allowed her to expand her circle. “It affected the network of community members I get to interact with,” she said. “[This experience] helped me build new partnerships.”
Strawberry Crest FFA member Hope Storter plans to use her scholarship to accomplish career goals. “[I want to further] my education at the University of Florida,” she said. “I think it is so important because we, as FFA members, are the future of agriculture. In the next couple of years, we will be the ones who are giving back to the community.”
