McIntyre wins Smoak award

The winner of the first-ever Mason G. Smoak Friend of Agriculture Award was Smoak himself, the Lake Placid cattleman and citrus grower who died in a June 20, 2008 plane crash. His wife, Tracee, accepted.

This year, the winner was Smoak's friend, Highlands County Property Appraiser Raymond McIntyre.

"It's a privilege," McIntyre said. "I had great respect for Mason, and for me to receive this award is an honor." He thanked his staff for putting him in the position.

McIntyre, said Farm Bureau President Matt Elliott, won the award for developing the guidelines to implement the Citrus Health Responsibility Program. When abandoned or diseased groves are bulldozed, CHRP allows property appraisers to assess the property at $50 per acre.

Owners are incentivized to control canker and greening by spraying herbicides and insecticides, or clear the grove, which could become a breeding ground.

"Raymond is on the leading edge of the citrus and agricultural industry," Elliott said.

McIntyre works every year with children at events like AgVenture, and shares the history and stories of Florida's agricultural pioneers with audiences across the region. McIntyre has also treated agricultural landowners fairly, Elliott said.

As was the Smoak family, McIntyre said, who has consistently led the county with citrus and cattle programs.

"Mason did a lot for the agriculture community, and was a good friend," said Tom Andrews, the agriculture supervisor in McIntyre's office. Andrews was on the Farm Bureau board, which presents the award.