1982 Florida Agricultural Hall of Fame Inductees
Willard M. Fifield was an agricultural researcher and
educator who, throughout his career, encouraged effective
measures to boost Florida’s agricultural production through
efficient use of scientific methods. Fifield served as
Provost of Agriculture at the University of Florida from
1955 until 1962. In this capacity, he coordinated the
programs of the University’s College of Agriculture,
Agricultural Experiment Stations, Extension Service and the
School of Forestry. Following his retirement as provost in
1962, Fifield accepted the position of manager of the
Florida Agricultural Research Institute for the next 12
years.
Robert G. Pitman, Jr., is given much of the credit
for the successful passage of the Florida Agricultural
Assessment Law, known as the “Greenbelt Law,” which has
saved Florida farmers untold millions of dollars in real
property taxes. In addition to his involvement in
agricultural taxation and legislation, Pitman developed and
patented a new citrus variety, the mandarin-type orange
known as the Ponkan. Pitman also changed and expanded his
Apopka nursery operation to satisfy the growing demand for
standard citrus varieties stimulated by the advent of
concentrate. He served as an organizing director of the
Hughes Memorial Foundation, a citrus budwood program of
nucellar budwood.
Dr. Herman J. Reitz is an internationally known
scientist, administrator and author whose noted work,
“Recommended Fertilizers and Nutritional Sprays for Citrus”
is considered the most authoritative writing on the
subject.
James N. “Jim” Watson is an agricultural pioneer who
was involved in forming the milk cooperative that
ultimately became the Upper Florida Milk Producers
Association. He was co-founder of the Greater Jacksonville
Agricultural Fair in 1955, and served as president for six
years. Watson has served as secretary-treasurer and
director of the National Association of County Agricultural
Agents, receiving the NACAA Distinguished Service Award in
1958.
