Month: March 2024

Episode 7 – Jo Ann Smith: A Trailblazer like No Other

Episode 7 – Jo Ann Smith: A Trailblazer like No Other

Jo Ann Doke Smith is a trailblazHER like no otHER. She has served as Florida CattleWomen’s President, as the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association’s first female president, as the director and president of the 4H Foundation, as the director of the National Livestock and Meat Board, and was the founding chair of the Cattlemen’s Beef Promotion and Research Board. Some of her many honors include: 1985 Florida’s Woman of the Year in Agriculture, 1989 International Stockman Hall of Fame, 1990 National Golden Spur Award, 2005 Florida Agricultural Hall of Fame, 2015 Meat Industry Hall of Fame, and 2015 National Cowgirl Museum and Hall of Fame. As someone who was known not by her gender but by her ability to get the job done, she was also named the 1982 Progressive Farmer Magazine Man of the Year in Florida Agriculture and the 1988 Man of the Year in American Agriculture. We hope you take a listen to hear this incredible woman’s story!

Episode 6 – Lauren Dillard Butler: 2023 Florida Cattlewoman of the Year

Episode 6 – Lauren Dillard Butler: 2023 Florida Cattlewoman of the Year

Lauren Butler is the UF/IFAS Livestock Extension Agent and County Extension Director in Okeechobee County. Lauren is originally from Pasco County where her family raised commercial beef cattle, registered quarter horses, and registered brahmans. She met her husband, Will, while they both attended the University of Florida. They reside in Okeechobee with their two daughters, Claire and Loretta. Will’s family runs a commercial dairy and cow-calf operation. Will and Lauren also own a small herd of registered Brahman cattle.