TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Wilton Simpson and the Florida Agricultural Hall of Fame Foundation announced Jeffrey Dewey Gargiulo, Lynetta and Ken Griner, and Ron St. John as 2027 Florida Agricultural Hall of Fame Inductees.
Since 1980, the Florida Agricultural Hall of Fame has honored men and women who have made lasting contributions to agriculture in this state and to the mentoring of our youth, who represent the future of agriculture in Florida. The induction ceremony will be held at the Florida State Fair’s Agricultural Hall of Fame Banquet on February 9, 2027.
“Florida agriculture not only puts food on our tables, but it sustains communities in every corner of the state and is the backbone of our economy, supporting hundreds of billions of dollars in annual economic impact. Florida agriculture’s success is due to the old-fashioned hard work, vision, and leadership of people like Jeffrey Dewey Gargiulo, Lynetta and Ken Griner, and Ron St. John,” said Commissioner Wilton Simpson. “Each of these Florida Agricultural Hall of Fame inductees has strengthened and grown Florida agriculture through innovation, entrepreneurship, service, and supporting the next generation of farmers, ranchers, and growers.”
Jeffrey Dewey Gargiulo
Jeffrey Dewey “Jeff” Gargiulo has spent more than four decades helping shape Florida agriculture and the national produce industry through leadership, innovation, and entrepreneurship.
Born in Fort Myers in 1952, Jeff was introduced to agriculture at an early age after his family relocated to Naples, where his father, Dewey Gargiulo, established what would become Naples Tomato Growers. Dewey’s contributions to the fruit and vegetable industry helped advance tomato production and packaging practices that became industry standards.
After earning a marketing degree from Florida State University, Jeff joined the family business and later co-founded Gargiulo Inc. with his brother, John, in 1978. As CEO, he led the company’s growth from a Florida-based tomato operation into the nation’s leading fresh tomato producer. Jeff farmed throughout the state of Florida and beyond, including Collier, Lee, Hendry, Manatee, Hillsborough and Gadsden counties. Under his leadership, the company expanded into strawberries, raspberries, and imported produce, with operations across the United States, Puerto Rico, Mexico and Chile. At one point, Jeff oversaw one of the largest tomato-growing operations in the world.
Jeff’s influence extended well beyond his own business. He served as chairman of the Produce Marketing Association, president of Florida Tomato Growers and president of Florida Fruit & Vegetable Association. He also represented the produce industry during international trade discussions, including negotiations related to the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT) and the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA).
More information on the Florida Agricultural Hall of Fame and the banquet can be found at FloridaAgHallofFame.org
For more information about Commissioner Simpson and the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, visit FDACS.gov.