Seminole County beef cattle producer is the Woman of the Year in Agriculture

Seminole County beef cattle producer is the Woman of the Year in Agriculture

Imogene Yarborough of Geneva has been named the 2012 Woman of the Year in Agriculture. The award, now in its 28th year, recognizes women who have made outstanding contributions to Florida agriculture.

For more than 50 years, Yarborough has been a staple in Florida agriculture, serving in many leadership roles at the county, state and national cattlemen’s and cattlewomen’s associations as well as serving on numerous state and local agricultural advisory boards. She was the last Cowbelle’s President and the first Florida CattleWomen State President after the Cowbelle’s name change. Yarborough currently presides as the Seminole County Farm Bureau President. “My whole life has been built around my family, the ranch, my church, the Cattlemen’s Association, Farm Bureau and the Geneva community,” Yarborough said.

Her commitment to agriculture stems from the 8,000 acre “Yarborough Ranch” she has called home for the last 58 years. After raising her four children on the ranch, she continues to instill the importance of agriculture into the children of the Geneva community. Yarborough remains a strong supporter of the 4-H club and FFA, giving project steers and pigs to students so they can learn about the value of their passion for agriculture first hand. Coined the “Cow Lady,” Imogene has also worked in the classroom, educating children about beef by-products and nutrition as well as hosting educational field trips to her ranch to teach hands-on experience with farm equipment.

Her dedication to preserving the future of agriculture was perhaps best illustrated in 1998 when the Yarborough’s sold 3,400 acres of their ranch as a conservation easement to the St. Johns Water Management District so that future generations can enjoy the land, its resources and natural environment.

Yarbrough will be presented with the award during the opening-day luncheon at the Florida State Fair in Tampa in February.

The award is sponsored by the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services and the Florida State Fair Authority Board. For more information about the Woman of the Year in Agriculture Award or to view a list of past recipients, visit http://www.florida-agriculture.com/agwoman/index.htm.