I often share my sense of appreciation for the individuals I meet at expos and events, and the recent Florida Blueberry Growers Association 2024 Hall of Fame Banquet at Bonnet Springs Park in Lakeland did not disappoint.
The association honored the accomplishments of three inductees who helped to shape the Florida blueberry industry and beyond.
- David Norden
Norden, a retired research coordinator, worked with Dr. Paul Lyrene at the University of Florida to make blueberries a profitable crop for Florida growers. He was instrumental to the breeding program, which developed many new varieties and growing techniques to advance the industry in Florida. - Gerald Mixon
Mixon founded a profitable blueberry operation in Central Florida and discovered that pine bark could unlock the potential of highbush blueberries in Florida. His work made him one of the most prominent figures in the success of the Florida blueberry industry. He also developed new methods of packing that allowed producers to get higher prices for their fruit. - Dr. Jeff Williamson
Williamson, a professor statewide blueberry extension specialist, has been supporting the industry since the mid-1990s. In addition to teaching graduate and undergraduate students at UF, he has been instrumental in the Florida Blueberry Growers Association’s education of growers. He continues to perform key research on nutrient and irrigation management, plant growth regulator use, and rootstock for commercial blueberry production.
Congratulations to the honorees! It’s individuals like this who help pave the way for the rest of the growers.
