Edward J. Campbell devoted much of his work toward the humanitarian side of the industry. He spearheaded many land preservation projects and initiated a major quality study for South Dade County that involved six agencies. Through his efforts, dumpsites were cleared where two natural ponds had existed and a sludge recycling program was developed for Dade County. He founded the Redlands Citizen Association in 1964 to protect agricultural lands from urban sprawl and later founded the Soil and Water Conservation District. His lifelong commitment to environmental issues led to his appointment as vice-chairman of the governor’s Everglades Resource and Management Advisory Board, which develops policies for the “Save the Everglades” project. He was the first farmer to be honored by the Coalition of Farm Worker Organizations and has received numerous community service awards.
N. Curtis Peterson, a native of Lakeland, has served the agricultural industry for more than 30 years in both the public and private sectors. He is a nurseryman and registered landscape architect. In 1961, he was appointed to the Florida Agricultural Advisory Council and the plant Industry Technical Council. As a freshman senator, he was vice-chairman of the Agriculture Committee and chairman from 1974-76 and 1986-88. He sponsored many successful agricultural proposals in the legislature, including protection of endangered and threatened species of wild plants and trees; agricultural produce license tax exemptions; repeal of tax on eggs and dressed poultry; mechanical harvesting of citrus; appropriations for black fly eradication and research funds for lethal yellowing of coconut palms; funds for the sterilization of the Caribbean fruit fly; and funds for a new dairy laboratory in Winter Haven. During his three decades of public service, he received many accolades from Florida’s agriculture industry.
Edgar H. Price, is credited with providing strong leadership in public and private organizations that impacted the growth and prosperity of Florida’s agricultural economy. He made significant contributions through service to agriculture research, education, protection, politics and the private sector. He successfully fought for higher appropriations to upgrade Florida’s Agricultural Extension Service and more funds for operation and capital outlay to serve Florida’s varied agricultural interests. He introduced and passed legislation providing for marketing of corn and celery to modernize agricultural labor laws. He sold the first Florida chilled orange juice in glass bottles in Germany in 1965, opening the door to profitable export of this product throughout the European market. He managed a 2,500 acre gladiolus farm before becoming manager of the Florida Gladiolus Growers Association from 1949-55, when he developed modern pack, shipping, marketing methods that resulted in Florida becoming the largest producer of gladiolus cut flowers in the world.
Vance V. Vogel has been a tireless supporter of agriculture since 1949. He has served as president of both V.V. Vogel & Sons, Inc., and K-V Farm, Inc., and vice president of Ruskin Tomato Growers, Inc. He has been a member of the Florida Fruit & Vegetable Association since 1952, serving in virtually every capacity with the association. He has also served in various capacities with the Florida Tomato Committee, Florida Tomato Exchange, as a member of the Florida Farm Bureau and the U.S. Senate Advisory Committee on Foreign Trade. He has been instrumental in the Redlands Christian Migrant Association, which is a state-chartered, non-profit, tax-exempt organization that provides day care services for farm workers. In 1985, he received the Redlands Christian Migrant Association Award of Appreciation and in 1979 the Distinguished Service Award from the Florida Fruit & Vegetable Association.
