Eugene Badger
Eugene Badger was born in Hastings, Florida, and grew up on his family's potato farm. This early connection to agriculture grew into a lifelong commitment to advancing Florida agriculture and advocating on its behalf. Badger graduated from the University of Florida in 1949 with a B.S.A. in agriculture economics and education. Following graduation, he began...
William Cook was born in Tallahassee, Florida, where he graduated from Leon High School. Cook then moved to Callahan, Florida, to join his uncle's turpentine and pulpwood business in 1946. After Cook's service in the United States Air Force, he returned to his career in Callahan where he began building his forestry legacy through the...
Joe Marlin Hilliard
Joe Marlin Hilliard was born in Fort Myers, Florida, and grew up in Hendry County, where he graduated from Clewiston High School in 1961. Following graduation, Hilliard began working on Hilliard Brothers Cattle Ranch, which was founded by his grandfather in 1906 and later owned by his father and uncle in the 1920s. Hilliard implemented...
Dr. W. Bernard Lester
Dr. W. Bernard Lester was born in Havana, Florida, and grew up on a "shadeback farm" that produced the tobacco plants that provided the outer wrappers for cigars. Lester was involved in Havana High School's Future Farmers of America, earned an Eagle Scout designation and received the Service Award from the American Legion. Following his...