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Local Farm Bureau executive named "Woman of the Year"

 
Judi Whitson has been named the state’s 2016 Woman of the Year in Agriculture.
Judi Whitson has been named the state’s 2016 Woman of the Year in Agriculture.
Published Aug. 21, 2016

DOVER — Whether it's teaching her 4-year-old grandson where eggs come from, immersing middle and high school students into the world of agriculture or helping adults understand the role of modern farmers, Judi Whitson finds inspiration in those teachable moments.

"I just love seeing when the light bulb goes off, when the bright light hits and they get it," said Whitson, executive director of the Hillsborough County Farm Bureau.

Whitson's passion has guided her through 25 years with the bureau, and now it has helped her earn the state's 2016 Woman of the Year in Agriculture award. State Agriculture Commissioner Adam Putnam announced Whitson as the winner last week, and she will be honored at next year's Florida State Fair.

"When I look at the list of ladies who won before me, it just left me speechless, and I don't get speechless very often," said Whitson, acknowledging past winners Lisa Hinton and Belinda Chason.

A media release from Putnam's office touted Whitson's work with a program for exceptional students, her involvement in the Xtreme Cuisine program that teaches nutrition to elementary and middle school students and her founding of the AgVentures exhibition that helps state fair attendees "touch, taste and see agriculture in action."

She's particularly proud of the program for exceptional students she helped start after a high school graduate with learning disabilities asked her to create a path for students like him.

For Whitson, a Florida native, it's all about helping people appreciate farmers.

"Agriculture is one of the most underestimated, underappreciated industries that we have," Whitson said. "People think we don't need farmers anymore and they don't think about how food gets to the grocery store. I love bringing that to the forefront.

"Whether you work in the industry or not, if you eat three meals a day, that means you're involved."

Times staff writer Ernest Hooper