Here Are the Latest Florida Citrus Hall of Fame Inductees
December 9, 2024 The deep-rooted history of Florida citrus would be nothing without people dedicated to growing the industry. This hard work does not go unrecognized, thanks in large part to the Florida Citrus Hall of Fame. The organization has announced its latest inductees. The Florida Citrus Hall of Fame Class of 2025 includes: Dr. Charles W. Adams (deceased), Dan Richey, and Dr. Jim Graham.
These three industry champions will be officially inducted into the Florida Citrus Hall of Fame on March 28, 2025 at Florida Southern College in Lakeland in the George W. Jenkins Fieldhouse.
Get To Know the Class of 2025
Dr. Charles W. Adams (1879-1945) – As a partner in Adams Packing Association and Growers Fertilizer Corporation, Dr. Charles W. Adams was a leader in his field and impacted the citrus industry with his progressive ideas for growth. During the 1920s, 30s and 40s, Dr. Adams, Mac Morrow and L.P. Kirkland were responsible for the building and operating of a significant portion of the packing, processing, and marketing infrastructure that enabled citrus to grow into the major industry it became.
Charles W. Adams
Dr. Adams made contributions to the Florida citrus industry not just as a grower, but also by the instrumental role he played in building and operating critical fertilizer blending, fruit packing, and juice processing infrastructure starting in the late 1920’s. Although he died in 1945, his impact on the industry continued to be felt as others carried on what he had set into motion as one of the Florida citrus industry’s true pioneers.
Dr. James H. “Jim” Graham – Throughout his 34-year career at the University of Florida’s Citrus Research and Education Center in Lake Alfred, Dr. Graham has managed to devote his time almost equally to a world-class research program and to a citrus extension program that equals any in the world. He was very involved in trying to eliminate canker from Florida but when hurricanes made that effort impossible, he pivoted to helping the grower deal with canker, becoming the go-to researcher on canker suppression. There are few canker management practices today that were not initiated or influenced by his work, which has led to many of the recommendations on canker, greasy spot, diaprepes root weevil, phytophthora, and HLB found in today’s Florida Citrus Production Guide.
Dr. Jim Graham
Along with all the research endeavors he has headed up in Florida are the many global collaborations he has participated in with other research institutions. These joint research projects allowed greater insight into diseases that were new to the United States but which have been successfully managed for decades elsewhere.
Dan Richey – Best known in fresh fruit circles, Dan Richey’s leadership and tenacious support, promotion, and defense of Florida’s citrus industry is known and felt by all. Richey has been at the helm of Riverfront Packing for decades, building it into a preeminent shipper of high-quality Indian River Grapefruit supplied into export and domestic channels. However, his service and influence extend well beyond the company he represents. Richey is currently serving as an appointed advisor to the U.S. Trade Representative and U.S. Secretary of Agriculture regarding international trade (USDA Agricultural Technical Advisory Committee for Fruits and Vegetables, ATAC).
Dan Richey
He has served as Chairman of the Florida Citrus Commission, President of Florida Citrus Packers, Chairman and President of the Indian River Citrus League, officer and committee member of Citrus Administrative Committee, board member of Florida Fruit & Vegetable Association, member of the USDA Fruit and Vegetable Industry Advisory Committee, Congressional Task Force on Agricultural Trade, and more.
The 2025 Florida Citrus Hall of Fame induction ceremony is co-sponsored by Florida Citrus Mutual and the Florida Department of Citrus, with the Florida Citrus Processors Association hosting an “OJ Meet & Greet” with the inductees, attendees and government legislators prior to the luncheon.
For information on Florida Citrus Hall of Fame inductees and more, visit FloridaCitrusHallofFame.com.
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