Doyle E. Carlton, Jr., is a lifelong cattleman and a former member of the Florida senate where he was chosen Outstanding Freshman Senator in 1953. As senator, Carlton was able to persuade two-thirds of the senate to support an appropriation to fund the Osceola County pilot program for the eradication of the screwworm fly. This was the first successful application of sterile male fly technology. Carlton served as Chairman of the Florida State Fair Authority for 11 years. Major additions were made to the Fair during his tenure, including Cracker Country, a link to the Florida past, and major exhibition facilities. Carlton received numerous awards, including the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Distinguished Service Award, the coveted Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services’ External Distinguished Service Award, and the D.B. McKay Award Extraordinaire from the Tampa Historical Society in 1987 for his contributions to Florida history.
Dr. Tony J. Cunha joined the animal science faculty at the University of Florida in 1948 as associate professor. After being selected chairman of the department, Cunha gathered an outstanding group of faculty whose work contributed significantly to improving the Florida livestock industry. He was in charge of the coordination of teaching, extension and research in animal science through UF and 10 branch stations throughout the state. Cunha specialized in swine nutrition, but upon becoming chairman of the department expanded it greatly from animal nutrition to include research, teaching and extension programs in meat science, breeding, physiology and production management. Cunha initiated the beef cattle short course and initiated the Latin American Livestock and Poultry conference.
Julian B. Lane, former mayor of Tampa, member of the house of representatives, senate and a lifelong dairyman, owns Lane Cattle Co. and Lane Citrus Co. He received his degree in business administration from the University of Florida, and before World War II, he and his brother operated a dairy at Largo, Florida. Lane served in the U.S. Army in World War II, rising to lieutenant colonel. He returned to Florida after the war, bought a dairy and entered the beef cattle and citrus industries as well. Lane was instrumental in organizing Tampa Independent Dairy Farmers Inc. Lane served as secretary of the Florida Racing Commission from 1951-53, as mayor of the City of Tampa from 1959-63, served in the house of representatives from 1970-72, and in the senate from 1972-76. He was the first president of the Agricultural Hall of Fame Federation and served as state chairman of Farm-City week for 1985-86. He received the Florida Dairyman of the Year award in 1972 and the Certificate of Distinction for Legislative Support from the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services in 1990.
Joseph M. O’Farrell, Sr., acquired a passion for thoroughbred horses in Maryland in 1936 when he bought his first broodmare. He came to Ocala in 1956 at the age of 49 to look at a breeding farm that was for sale and joined the syndicate that bought the farm. As part owner and manager of Ocala Stud, O’Farrell set about promoting the thoroughbred industry in Florida. Ocala Stud at one time was the largest training center and stallion station in the United States. It was the first non-Kentucky farm to attain the national Leading Breeders’ and Owners Lists. O’Farrell maintained a staff of specialists in research and nutrition, developing feeds which met Florida’s needs. O’Farrell’s innovations included starting up the sales of two-year-olds, a successful feature now incorporated in the thoroughbred industries of other states. O’Farrell received the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services’ External Distinguished Service Award in 1982.
