UF research center honors tomato grower with Hall of Fame Award

The University of Florida/Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences’ (UF/IFAS) North Florida Research and Education Center (NFREC) in Quincy presented tomato grower, Will Maxwell, with its 2004 NFREC Hall of Fame Award.

“I was honored to be chosen to receive this prestigious award,” said Maxwell.  “I will always look upon this award with high esteem.  Agriculture and the conservation of land are very dear to my heart.”

Nominated by Dr. Steve Olson, a UF/IFAS professor of horticulture, Maxwell was awarded for his contributions to NFREC-Quincy and the agriculture industry in North Florida.

“He was extremely helpful in setting up the check-off funds that have allowed the Center to receive money for various projects, the Gadsden County Tomato Growers Association has probably contributed well over a quarter of a million dollars since the check-off fund has been in inception,” said Olson.  “He’s been an extremely willing cooperator as far as allowing us to do research on his farm.”

Maxwell, who has been in agriculture for 32 years, owns Maxwell & Suber Company with his partner Stewart Suber.  The Company, which is based in Quincy, Fla., grows and produces two crops of tomatoes annually on 110 acres and employs about 75 people during harvesting.

Very active in agriculture, Maxwell is the current president of the Gadsden County Tomato Growers Association, he has served on the Florida Fruit & Vegetable Association’s Board of Directors since 1982, and he is a past president and board member of the Gadsden County Farm Bureau.

Born in Quincy, Maxwell grew up on a shade tobacco and cattle farm.  In 1972 he graduated from Clemson University in Clemson, S.C., with a bachelor’s degree in agronomy.  He and his wife Debbie, who have two daughters, Elder Linville and Lawson Miller, currently reside in Quincy.