Donald Nelson and Marion Tidwell to be honored with Distinguished Service to Agriculture Award

Florida Farm Bureau Federation will honor the late Alfred Donald Nelson, a Sumter county farmer, and Marion Tidwell, a west Florida cattleman, with its highest honor, the Distinguished Service to Agriculture Award, at its 68th annual meeting Oct. 28-30 at the Hilton Oceanfront Resort in Daytona Beach.

President John L. Hoblick will present the awards during the President’s Celebration and Awards Ceremony, which begins at 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 28.

“We are pleased to add these distinguished Farm Bureau leaders who have spent their lives in service to agriculture, Farm Bureau and their communities,” said Federation President John L. Hoblick.

Nelson grew up on and later ran his family’s farm near Bushnell. A University of Florida graduate, he was instrumental in founding the Sumter Vegetable Co-op, which began operation in the 1950s in downtown Webster. He worked with the University of Florida/IFAS on many experimental programs. He served on the Sumter County Farm Bureau board of directors for decades and was president for more than 20 years. He also worked on many Florida Farm Bureau committees.

Tidwell, a lifelong resident of west Florida, began farming in Jackson County in 1961. His career in agriculture led him to become a leader in local and statewide organizations. He served on the Santa Rosa County Farm Bureau board of directors and was elected to the state board of directors of the Florida Farm Bureau Federation in 1981. He has served in that capacity until this year. He also served on the board of the Florida Cattlemen’s Association for 30 years. He also served on the board of the Santa Rosa Chamber of Commerce, the Santa Rosa County Development Authority, the Escambia River Electric Cooperative, the Jay Livestock Market Committee and the West Florida Regional Planning Council.