Putnam receives support from legends in Florida agriculture

BARTOW – Twenty-seven members of the Florida Agricultural Hall of Fame and recipients of the Woman of the Year in Agriculture Award have offered their official endorsement of Congressman Adam Putnam for Commissioner of Agriculture in 2010.

“Florida has been shaped by those who earn their living from the land. Adam Putnam, our fellow agriculturalist, will use his experience and sound decision-making skills to ensure that Florida’s agricultural legacy continues for generations to come,” said Carl Loop, Florida Agricultural Hall of Fame member and Florida Farm Bureau Federation President from 1983 to 2006.

The Florida Agricultural Hall of Fame and the Woman of the Year in Agriculture Award recognize those who have made lifelong contributions to Florida agriculture. The honorees’ diverse agricultural backgrounds range from cattle ranching in Okeechobee to peanut production in Alachua to nursery operations in Tampa. These individuals represent decades of hard work and dedication to the production of food, fiber and natural resources in The Sunshine State.

“I can think of no one who will represent the farmers, ranchers and consumers of this state better than Adam Putnam,” said Patsy Nathe, 2008 Woman of the Year in Florida Agriculture. “Floridians will be honored to have his leadership in one of our state’s most important departments.”

“It is with great humility and honor that I accept the endorsement of members of the Florida Agricultural Hall of Fame and recipients of the Woman of the Year in Florida Agriculture,” said Congressman Adam Putnam. “These individuals have paved the way for agriculturalists like me and they continue to leave an impact on our industry far greater than they may ever realize. I will look to their guidance while serving as Commissioner of Agriculture and will work diligently in addressing the needs of Florida’s producers and consumers.”

Adam Putnam is a Polk County citrus grower and cattleman who has represented the Twelfth Congressional District in the U.S. House of Representatives since January 2001. He also served as a member of the Florida House of Representatives from 1996 to 2000.

Adam resides in his hometown of Bartow with his wife Melissa and their four children.

Florida Agricultural Hall of Fame members who have endorsed Congressman Putnam are as follows:

Leroy Baldwin, 1995

T. Richard Barber, Jr., 2004

Neal P. Brooks, 1996

Roy G. Davis, 2006

Paul J. DiMare, 2005

Hugh English, 2008

Barnette E. Greene, Jr., 1996

M. Copeland Griswold, 2001

Bert J. Harris, Jr., 1999

Arlen Jumper, 2003

Louis “Red” Larson, 1981

Carl B. Loop, Jr., 2002

Maxey D. Love, Jr., 1998

John A. Mortenson, 1993

Bert E. Roper, 2001

Charles “Chuck” Smith, 2006

George F. Sorn, 2002

Alto A. Straughn, 2008

Henry F. Swanson, 2000

George H. Wedgworth, 1994

Woman of the Year in Florida Agriculture recipients who have endorsed Congressman Putnam are as follows:

Vina Jean Banks, 1999

Trudy Carey, 1997

Anne Wardlaw Dickinson, 1994

Helen Houck, 2000

Patricia Nathe, 2008

Marlene Strickland, 2005

Jeanette Barthle Sutton, 1990