No matter how humble you are, sometimes it’s necessary to recognize milestones and the
people who have helped in achieving them.
This edition marks the 13th anniversary of Central Florida Ag News. It seems like just yesterday that our managing editor at the time, Celeste Walls, and I were working with Bill Braswell and Sheriff Grady Judd to put together our first edition.
When we started this venture, I had already been in the publishing business for 23 years and had grown up on our family’s farmland (est. 1883) so I wasn’t new to either venture. We had a vision — a dream, if you will — and many folks helped us turn that dream into a reality. We didn’t know it at the time, but we had been welcomed into an amazing, close-knit community where we ultimately formed lifelong friendships and partnerships.
During the past 13 years, we’ve been blessed to share the stories — your stories — of our
industry. At times they brought tears, other times they invoked cheers, but they always
chronicled determination and traced a history written by hardworking individuals.
I’d like to extend our heartfelt gratitude to the big man upstairs; to you, the readers, who are the very reason we tell the
stories; our advertisers who have supported our mission; the Polk County Farm Bureau, whose endorsement we enjoy; and the dedicated team of past and present writers, designers, editors, employees, and contributors who have made us “the voice of agriculture for our region.”
Here’s to countless more stories of success and perseverance in Central Florida Ag News. Thank you, and God bless.