Longtime Florida Citrus Grower Earns Champion Status

Hugh English, a longtime influential fixture in the Florida citrus industry, has been dubbed a “Champion” by UF/IFAS.

Hugh English

Hugh English

English was recently presented with the UF/IFAS Champion Award at the Gulf Citrus Growers Association luncheon in Fort Myers. The award honors those who strengthen the organization’s ability to excel in teaching, research and Extension, according to Jack Payne, UF/IFAS Senior VP of Agriculture and Natural Resources.

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English is noted as a pioneer in Southwest Florida’s citrus industry. He started his career as a citrus grove manager at A. Duda & Sons in 1965, and through his work, English began many citrus research and Extension demonstrations in the Duda groves. He retired in 2001.

According to UF/IFAS, there were many reasons to honor English. While serving on the South Florida Ag Council, English helped build legislative support to construct and staff the UF/IFAS Southwest Florida Research and Education Center in Immokalee. He also is a longtime member of the UF/IFAS SHARE Council – a group of volunteers whose mission is to generate private support for UF/IFAS.

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“I think one of the best things about UF/IFAS is they put the research together because they utilize not only what they do, but they utilize work that growers do,” English stated.

In addition to this industry honor, English was inducted into the Florida Citrus Hall of Fame in 2000 and the Florida Agricultural Hall of Fame in 2008.

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