Source(s):
George Hochmuth gjh@gnv.ifas.ufl.edu, (850) 875-7100
Don Poucher info@gnv.ifas.ufl.edu, (352) 392-0437

QUINCY, Fla.—A new 28,000 square-foot building under construction at the University of Florida’s North Florida Research and Education Center in Quincy has been named in honor of Fountain H. May, Sr., an agricultural leader who has helped introduce Florida nursery products to markets around the world.

May was recognized Dec. 12 at a special “site designation event” at the center, which is part of UF’s Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences.

“For more than 50 years, Fount May’s contributions to Florida agriculture and the UF have been enormously helpful, and it is appropriate that we honor him at this time,” said Mike Martin, UF vice president for agriculture and natural resources.

“May’s work with the Florida Nurserymen and Growers Association (FNGA), particularly his efforts to promote a global marketplace for Florida products in Europe and the Far East, deserves special recognition,” Martin said.

“In addition, he has been a valuable supporter of UF in the state and in Washington, D.C. His support and gifts to the UF’s SHARE (Special Help for Agricultural Research and Education) private support program are greatly appreciated,” Martin said.

May is a member of the Gadsden County Farm Bureau and former governor of the American Association of Nurserymen, former president of the Southern Nurserymen’s Association and former president of the Florida Nursery and Allied Trade Show.

He was honored as Florida Nurseryman of the Year by FNGA in 1982, Outstanding Farmer of the Year by the Gadsden County Farm Bureau in 1983 and Nurseryman of the Year by the Southern Nurserymen Association in 1992.

The Dec. 12 program at Quincy included remarks from George Hochmuth, center director; State Sen. Alfred Lawson, Jr. D-Tallahassee, and George Hackney, president-elect of FNGA.

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