January 3, 1994
Sarah W. Bailey Is Woman Of The Year In Agriculture For 1993
Sarah W. Bailey of Jacksonville has been named Florida's 1993 "Woman of the Year in Agriculture," Florida Agriculture Commissioner Bob Crawford announced today.
"Sarah Bailey combines a strong agricultural background with a keen interest in environmental conservation and education," Crawford said. "She exemplifies the outstanding contributions that many women make to the agricultural industry and their communities."
Since the early 1960s, Bailey has worked with her husband and son on the family cattle and horse ranch, Needmore Land & Cattle Company, located in northwest st. Johns County. She served as a county commissioner from 1984 to 1992 and has been active in numerous agricultural and natural resourcerelated organizations. She has also been involved in 4-H activities with her three children. Bailey was instrumental in getting agricultural interests involved in the local and regional comprehensive planning process. While a county commissioner, she served on growth management or land-use committees of the Florida Association of Counties and the National Association of Counties. An enthusiastic horsewoman, Bailey has participated in numerous trail rides, including the Sesquicentennial Trail Ride from st. Augustine to Tallahassee, the Florida Cracker Trail Ride from Bradenton to Fort Pierce, and the Osceola County Trail Ride. She has been honored for her environmental and civic activities by such organizations as the Sierra Club, the Audubon society and the Girl Scouts of America.
Bailey is the ninth person to be named "Woman of the Year in Agriculture," an award sponsored by the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services and the Florida State Fair to highlight the contributions of women in agriculture. She was chosen for the honor by an independent panel of judges outside of the Department.
Crawford is scheduled to present the award to Bailey on February 4, 1994, during the opening-day luncheon at the Florida State Fair in Tampa. Tickets for the event are available by calling Florida Expo Park at 1-800-345-3247.
Previous winners of the "Woman of the Year in Agriculture" award include:
1992 -- Carol C. Murphy, Volusia County fern grower.
1991 -- Ruth Tucker, Rockledge cattlewoman and teacher who developed the "Beef Short Courses."
1990 -- Jeanette Barthle, Pasco County cattlewoman.
1989 -- Belle Jeffords, owner and operator of a crossbred cattle and farming operation in Alachua County.
1988 -- Carolyn Reed Kempfer, owner and operator of the 30,000-acre Deer Park Ranch in Osceola and Brevard counties.
1987 -- Dorothy Conner Shipes, Lake County citrus grower and former Florida Citrus Commission member.
1986 -- Ruth Wedgworth, businesswoman, farmer, grandmother and civic leader from Belle Glade.
1985 -- Jo Ann smith, assistant secretary with the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
