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Florida Agriculture Hall of Fame honorees announced

Induction ceremony scheduled for February 9th, 2016

By Diego Flammini, Farms.com

Agriculture is one of Florida’s most important industries with an annual economic impact of nearly $120 billion and responsible for keeping more than two million Floridians employed.

Florida’s Agriculture Hall of Fame honors those who dedicated their lives to improving agriculture throughout the state and Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Adam Putnam announced the Hall of Fame inductees for 2016.

“Every new generation of agricultural leaders builds on the achievements of those who preceded them, and these (four) men have dedicated their lives to advancing Florida's agriculture industry and mentoring our youth,” Commissioner Putnam said.

The honorees for 2016 are Thomas H. Braddock, Dr. Joseph C. Joyce, Billy Kempfer and Dr. Charles “Chip” F. Hinton.

A little bit about the honorees:

Thomas H. Braddock

  • Born in Duval County, Florida and currently manages a cattle and timber operation
  • While in the graduate program at the University of Florida, he studied ways to reduce winter maintenance costs for beef cattle
  • Conducted a research project called “Interval Feeding of Ruminants” for 12 weeks
  • Led the 4-H Youth Development program in 1957 and from 1975 to 1991, hosted a show called “Hi Neighbor” that featured guests, discussions and demonstrations about agriculture and other subjects
  • Along with his wife Mary, they pledged $1.7 million to the University of Florida Foundation to support the state’s 4-H Leadership Program

Dr. Joseph C. Joyce

  • Born in Jacksonville, Florida and received Ph.D in Forest Resources and Conservation from the University of Florida
  • Served with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and in the Army Reserve, retiring with the rank of Brigadier General
  • Joined the University of Florida’s Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (IFAS) in 1983 as the Director of the Center for Aquatic and Invasive Plants
  • Oversaw IFAS budgets, administration, information technology, and facilities planning. As Associate Vice President he helped add more than 800,000 square feet of educational space.

Billy Kempfer

  • Born in Melbourne, Florida and earned an Associate of Science degree from Polk State College in Animal Science
  • Along with his brother, they run Deer Park Ranch-Kempfer Cattle Company in Brevard and Osceola counties
  • Currently serves as Chairman of the St. Johns River Water Management Agricultural Advisory Committee and has been on the committee in some capacity since it began
  • Served as President of the St. Johns River Food Producers Association

Dr. Charles “Chip” F. Hinton

  • Born in Nashua, New Hampshire and grew up in Pensacola.
  • Received a B.S. and M.S. in Agriculture and Ph.D. in Poultry Products from the University of Florida
  • While serving as Executive Director of the Florida Strawberry Growers Association, he helped develop new varieties including Sweet Charlie, Festival and Radiance.
  • As a result of his work, in the 1980s nearly 5,000 acres of strawberries were grown, generating nearly $50 million

The induction ceremony is scheduled for February 9th, 2016 and Farms.com would like to extend its congratulations to all the honorees. 


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