Citrus industry leader receives Farm Bureau’s “Distinguished Service to Agriculture” award

Hugh English, a leading figure in Florida’s citrus industry for the past four decades, received Florida Farm Bureau’s highest honor tonight at the organization’s annual meeting. Florida Farm Bureau President John Hoblick presented the award during a banquet on Oct. 14 at the Daytona Beach Hilton Oceanfront Resort.

Formerly employed by A. Duda and Sons, Inc., English helped to develop citrus production in southwest Florida. He worked closely with University of Florida/Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences researchers on various projects associated with the production and cultivation of citrus in the region. English was also instrumental in the organization of the Gulf Citrus Growers Association.

His volunteer duties on behalf of agriculture have included service on a special, two-year American Farm Bureau committee that studied policy options for the sustainability of U.S. agriculture. English has been named to the Florida Agricultural Hall of Fame and the Citrus Hall of Fame. His family was recognized as the Hendry County Farm Family of the Year in 1979.

In making the presentation, Florida Farm Bureau President John Hoblick praised the contributions English has made during the course of his career. “I am delighted to welcome Hugh English to our meeting and recognize him for his fine work in the citrus industry,” Hoblick said. “He well deserves the Distinguished Service to Agriculture award. We appreciate the leadership he has provided throughout his career.”

The Florida Farm Bureau Federation is the state's largest general-interest agricultural association with about 140,000 member-families statewide. Headquartered in Gainesville, the Federation is an independent, non-profit agricultural organization.