How It Happened: Wedgworth Leadership Institute Endowments

It makes sense that agriculture would play a major role in the Sunshine State’s history and economy. Recognizing this importance, the Florida Leadership Program for Agriculture and Natural Resources (now known as the UF/IFAS Wedgworth Leadership Institute) began in 1992 with the goal of ensuring a strong, adaptable agriculture and natural resources industry for generations to come. Over 30 years later, this leadership training program has graduated more than 300 alumni representing diverse Florida agriculture and natural resource industries.

A black and white photo of a group of 28 men and two women in business attire. They are posing outside the UF Reitz Student Union. — Class I

Growing Leaders

Cohorts of 30 industry leaders participate in the two-year program, which consists of 11 multi-day study/travel seminars. During the first year, participants gain a thorough understanding of issues facing decisionmakers at the local and state levels, and how to address them. The second year is devoted to national and international issues and the impact they have on Florida.

Strategic Vision and Support

Is it surprising that a group of leaders would plan for the future? One year after the program’s inception, founder Dr. Eugene Trotter envisioned securing a sustainable funding model through an endowment — a fund invested to generate dependable financial support year after year.

Dr. Trotter launched a campaign to secure $1 million in contributions, and the state pledged to match 75% of the total amount once the $1 million threshold was reached. This match served as a powerful motivator, bringing together hundreds of industry stakeholders in support of the cause.

Wedgworth Leadership Institute for Agriculture and Natural Resources

Left to right: Mike Martin, Dennis Wedgworth, George Wedgworth, and Gene Trotter.

The Wedgworth family generously offered to make the final gift necessary to reach the $1 million goal. With their contribution, the Florida Leadership Program Endowment was established, and the state match was granted. The program changed its name in 2003 to the Wedgworth Leadership Institute for Agriculture and Natural Resources (WLIANR) as a living tribute to Mr. George Wedgworth.

Professorship and Beyond

The best leaders continue to reach for excellence, and program leaders discussed ways to continue strengthening WLIANR. With the knowledge that endowed positions at universities consistently attract the strongest pool of applicants due to their guaranteed funding stream, they decided to pursue a WLIANR directorship.

In 2017 the program launched a second fundraising campaign, this time with the goal of creating a $1.5 million endowed professorship, and eventually a $2.5 million directorship, to sustainably fund the program leader’s faculty position.

With contributions from generous alumni and friends, the Florida Agriculture and Natural Resources Leadership Professorship was successfully established.

Expanded Access

The Scottie J. Butler Endowment was created in 2021 in loving memory of Mr. Scottie Butler. As general counsel for the Florida Farm Bureau Federation, Mr. Butler spent 40 years advocating for Florida agriculture and was instrumental in establishing WLIANR. This endowment honors his legacy by supplying tuition scholarships and covering programming expenses. With this tuition assistance, WLIANR is more accessible to younger and more diverse applicants.

Investment in Florida’s Future

The success of these campaigns stands as a testament to the dedication of those who believed in investing in the future of Florida’s agriculture and natural resources leaders. Thanks to the generosity and commitment of WLIANR alumni and the Wedgworth family, the Wedgworth Leadership Institute is directing its twelfth cohort and will continue to nurture and empower leaders for years to come.

A group of 34 men and women in business attire pose together on a sunny day, standing on a wooden deck. There is a lake with trees in the background. — WLIANR Class XII

The program continues to depend on the generosity of alumni and friends. If you would like to support this work with a gift, click here.

The “How it Happened” series showcases the transformational gifts made by donors to UF/IFAS during the University of Florida’s Go Greater Campaign. To learn more about creating your own impact through UF/IFAS programs with a charitable gift, please visit our website at give.ifas.ufl.edu or call the IFAS Advancement office at 352-392-1975.