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Smoak To Be Inducted Into Ag Hall Of Fame
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Published: February 7, 2009
LAKE PLACID - Mason Smoak's contribution to agriculture and community extended far beyond his hometown of Lake Placid.
Many of the people he loved and worked with will be present when Smoak is posthumously inducted into the Florida Agricultural Hall of Fame during the 31st annual awards celebration Tuesday at the Florida State Fair in Tampa.
Highlands County Farm Bureau President Matt Elliot organized a bus trip that will depart from Lake Placid for some of the hall of fame ceremony attendees.
"Mason Smoak's life defines fame," Elliot said. "Countless examples of his love, generosity, honesty and integrity are still shared with his friends and family on a daily basis. He is truly deserving of this award."
Elliot, along with Erin Best and Danny Raulerson, submitted the nomination application papers for Smoak's induction into the Florida Agriculture Hall of Fame.
Smoak, a third-generation citrus grower, accomplished an unbelievable amount in his short 33 years, the ag hall of fame reports. He managed sprawling cattle ranches and citrus groves and lent his leadership skills to a long list of industry trade associations.
Smoak was involved in everything from agriculture education to conservation and he embraced each new project with energy, optimism and contagious enthusiasm.
Within a decade of finishing his degree, Smoak was chosen to receive the Horizon Award from the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences at the University of Florida in honor of his service, leadership and contributions to agriculture, the ag hall of fame reports. In 2007 the university named him an Outstanding Young Alumnus.
Smoak died on June 20, 2008 when the single-engine airplane he was piloting crashed near the Placid Lakes Airport.
The other Ag Hall of Fame inductees of 2009 are: Kay Richardson of Evinston, James Griffiths of Winter Haven (deceased) and Richard Kelly of Tallahassee (deceased).
The four inductees will bring the ag hall of fame's total to 128.
Highlands Today reporter Marc Valero can be reached at 386-5826 or mvalero@highlandstoday.com
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