Commissioner Wilton Simpson Announces 2026 Florida Agricultural Hall of Fame Inductees

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. - Today, Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Wilton Simpson and the Florida Agricultural Hall of Fame Foundation announced Woody Larson, Dennis Wedgworth, and Jack Vogel as 2026 Florida Agricultural Hall of Fame Inductees. Since 1980, the Florida Agricultural Hall of Fame has honored men and women who have made lasting contributions to agriculture in this state and to the mentoring of our youth, who represent the future of agriculture in Florida. The induction ceremony will be held at the Florida State Fair's Agricultural Hall of Fame Banquet on February 10, 2026.

"Florida agriculture is stronger today because of leaders like Woody Larson, Dennis Wedgworth, and Jack Vogel," said Commissioner Wilton Simpson. "Each of these inductees represents the very best of our industry - visionary leadership, service to community, and a lifelong commitment to ensuring agriculture remains at the heart of Florida's economy and way of life."

Woody Larson

Louis Ellwood "Woody" Larson, Jr. has dedicated his life to advancing Florida agriculture through his generous spirit and steadfast leadership. A lifelong dairyman and cattleman, Woody and his family have grown their operations into a diversified enterprise while giving back to their community, state, and industry.

Born in 1951 in Broward County, Woody's agricultural journey began in childhood. By the time he was a teenager, he was working alongside his father in the family dairy and cattle operations. He married his high school sweetheart, Grace, in 1972 and graduated from the University of Florida with a degree in dairy science. Together, they built a family business that has expanded into dairy, beef, and conservation enterprises across thousands of acres in Florida.

As general manager of Larson Dairy, Inc., Woody oversaw its growth to more than 12,000 milking cows by the late 1980s. Despite challenges such as disease, hurricanes, and mounting environmental pressures, he embraced innovation and stewardship, leading the shift from pasture-based dairying to free-stall housing and adopting Best Management Practices. His motto, "Stay and Do," reflects his determination to find solutions that sustain both production and the environment.

Woody's leadership has transformed Florida agriculture beyond his own business. He was instrumental in creating the additional milk check-off program, generating more than $9 million for research and youth programs at UF. He also played a key role in the National Beef Referendum and spearheaded the creation of the Florida Cattle Enhancement Board to fund beef research. For nearly three decades, he served on the Farm Credit board, helping guide the 2011 merger that created Farm Credit of Florida, where he became its first chairman.

Deeply committed to giving back, Woody has provided calves for youth exhibitors for more than 50 years, supported FFA and 4-H programs, and hosted countless judging events. Alongside his siblings, he established three endowments at UF/IFAS, and with his wife, created Family Tree Enterprises to prepare the next generation, including their three children, to continue the family's agricultural legacy.

Recognized widely for his service, Woody was inducted into the Florida 4-H Hall of Fame and has received both the UF/IFAS Award of Distinction and Distinguished Alumnus Award.

Dennis Wedgworth

Dennis George Wedgworth has been a cornerstone of Florida agriculture for more than five decades. A third-generation Floridian, Dennis was raised in Belle Glade, carrying forward the pioneering spirit of his grandparents, Dr. Herman and Ruth Wedgworth, as well as his father, George Wedgworth.

After earning a mechanical engineering degree from Duke University, Dennis worked for the United States Sugar Corporation before pursuing his MBA at the University of Florida. At his grandmother's request, he joined the family's fertilizer business in 1977. Under his leadership, Wedgworth's Inc. expanded from a 30,000-ton operation into Florida's largest fertilizer blender, peaking at more than 350,000 tons annually. Recognizing that competing on price alone was unsustainable, Dennis focused on agronomics, service, and innovation - helping growers increase productivity and sustainability.

He developed proprietary software to automate blending operations and later launched Summit Nutrients, bringing nanotechnology and precision agriculture to Florida growers. These innovations reshaped the state's plant nutrition industry, establishing the Big W brand as a symbol of premium products and measurable results.

Dennis was an early champion of 4R Nutrient Stewardship, worked with regulators to establish fertilizer sampling protocols, and led initiatives to ensure safe ammonium nitrate storage. His principled leadership gave rise to "The Wedgworth Way"- a culture of service, quality, and innovation that continues to guide both Wedgworth's Inc. and Wedgworth Farms, which today produces sugarcane, rice, and cattle across more than 20,000 acres.

A respected statewide leader, Dennis chaired the Florida Fertilizer and Agrichemical Association and held key roles with the Sugarcane Growers Cooperative, Florida Sugar and Molasses Exchange, Western Palm Beach County Farm Bureau, Belle Glade Chamber of Commerce, and the Wedgworth Leadership Advisory Council. He has been honored as EAA Farm Family of the Year, inducted into the Southwest Fertilizer Hall of Fame, and received the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Florida Fertilizer and Agrichemical Association.

As a Class I graduate of the Florida Leadership Program for Agriculture and Natural Resources, Dennis helped spearhead its first endowment campaign, which led to the program being renamed the Wedgworth Leadership Institute in honor of his father. The Wedgworth Leadership Institute ensures future leaders will be equipped to serve Florida agriculture for generations to come.

Dennis has also been a strong supporter of youth across the Glades, helping fund and champion programs that foster leadership, education, and opportunity.

Jack Vogel

John Thomas "Jack" Vogel has served the Florida forestry industry for half a century. A member of the Florida Forestry Association (FFA) for nearly four decades, Vogel is the only person to serve twice as president of its board, earning recognition as an industry icon and volunteer leader for Florida silviculture.

More than 50 years ago, Vogel co-founded Natural Resource Planning Services with a partner from their homes, growing it into a company of 30 employees. He pioneered the use of easements and other tools to conserve working lands.

A 1969 graduate of the UF/IFAS School of Forest, Fisheries, and Geomatics Sciences (SFFGS), Vogel has remained deeply engaged with his alma mater. He has served on the SFFGS Alumni Advisory Board and chaired the school's Austin Cary Forest Campus Development Committee, which raised funds for rebuilding the Learning Center at the Austin Cary Forest following a devastating fire. He has also served as a mentor to 4-H youth. Vogel's involvement with UF/IFAS also includes service to 4-H youth. For his decades of service, UF/IFAS honored him with the SFFGS Distinguished Alumni Award, the CALS Award of Distinction, and the UF Distinguished Alumni Award.

Vogel's record of leadership also includes serving on the Florida Department of Environmental Protection, Acquisition and Restoration Council, the Southwest Florida Water Management District's Withlacoochee River Basin Board, and numerous FFA task forces. He has also served for more than a decade on the Florida State Fair Board and over 30 years as chairman of the San Antonio Citizens Federal Credit Union board.

His lifelong dedication has been recognized with many honors, including the FFA Distinguished Service Award, the Society of American Foresters' (SAF) Presidential Field Forester Award, SAF Fellow recognition, the SAF Huxley Coulter Award, and induction into the SAF Florida Foresters Hall of Fame.

In 2023, the Kenneth Kirchman Foundation honored his lifelong efforts in conservation by naming the 1,400-acre John T. Vogel Conservation Area at Lake X after him, which is part of the larger 10,000-acre preserve that Vogel helps manage.

Vogel continues to serve today on the FFA's Economic Task Force, the Pasco County Farm Bureau board, the National Wild Turkey Federation's Florida chapter host committee, and the finance committee of his church.

More information on the Florida Agricultural Hall of Fame and the banquet can be found at FloridaAgHallofFame.org

For more information about Commissioner Simpson and the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, visit FDACS.gov.

###

Press Releases

• 2025 Press Releases
• 2024 Press Releases
• 2023 Press Releases

Media Inquiries