By Terry Witt – Spotlight Senior Reporter

            Chiefland Rancher Don Quincey, a champion of Florida agriculture whose contributions to the industry are widely recognized, was recently honored by the Levy County Commission for his induction into the 2023 Florida Agriculture Hall of Fame.

            The county commission’s only farmer, Commissioner Desiree Mills, said from her perspective it is a privilege to have a member of the county’s agricultural community inducted into the Hall of Fame. She thanked Quincy for paving the path for future generations of farmers and ranchers to follow.

            “I will say as an agriculturist, we are so lucky to have your family inducted into the Hall of Fame for Agriculture. It’s amazing. It’s an incredible accomplishment. We are real proud of you and we thank you for your leadership for the rest of us for what we can aspire,” she said.

            Quincey graduated from Chiefland High School and served in law enforcement for two years before returning to his roots in agriculture. He participated in the ownership and operation of the family feed store from 1977 to 2003. The family raised cattle. The store was sold in 2003.

            Founding Quincey Cattle Company

            While the store was still in operation, Quincey founded Quincey Cattle Company in 1992, a diversified-cattle feeding operation in Chiefland. The operation has grown in size and scope to meet the needs of producers and provide services to improve marketability and options for Florida cattle. Eighty percent of the resources Quincey uses to grow cattle come from within 20 miles of his ranch.

            He is a lifelong supporter of Future Farmers of America and a founding member of Florida Cattle Ranchers. He has served in all the elected offices of the Florida Cattleman’s Association and served on the board of directors of Drummond Community Bank. He has served on the Florida Beef Council and National Cattleman’s Association.

            “Don Quincey has also been recognized by the University of Florida College of Agriculture and Life Sciences with an Award of Distinction and by the National Cattleman’s Beef Association with a Leadership Award,” said Chairman Matt Brooks reading from his biographical information. “Don’s been an advocate for mutually beneficial cultural policies seeking to bridge the gaps between producer and regulation as a member of the Suwannee River Water Management District Board of Directors.” He was chairman for 9 of the 12 years he served on the board.

            Serving on SRWMD, University Recognition

            During his tenure with the SRWMD board, Quincey initiated the district’s cost-sharing program and was instrumental in developing a water use monitoring program to assist agricultural shareholders with reporting actual water use instead of estimated data.         

            “With lifelong roots in Florida agriculture, carving out a niche in the Florida cattle industry was not for Don’s personal gain, but to set the foundation for future generations to provide a safe wholesome level of Florida beef supply,” said Brooks.

            Quincey said he was humbled “to say the least” and honored to be inducted into the Florida Agriculture Hall of Fame.

            “I’ll tell you I feel inadequate, to be honest with you,” Quincey said. “One of the things I’m most proud of is I’m the first Levy Countian to be inducted into the Florida Agriculture Hall of Fame. I’m proud for our community, I’m proud for our county, I’m proud of the agricultural community that’s within our county, not only what we do, but with our peanut farmers, everybody in this community. We are pretty much an agriculture economic backed community. You guys play a big role in that. The state plays a big role in what we are able to do and how we are able to do it.

            Agriculture and Environment

            “Regulations from the state side and the county side are important to keep our county moving forward. All I can say from my perspective is make sure the regulation you deal with is fair-handed and takes care of our economy, our ag folks, and the rest of the citizens as well. I did serve on the water management district for quite a few years. I had a lot of folks come up here who felt like agriculture was the enemy. What they don’t really understand is agriculture provides an environment in most places where birds and wildlife can live. We also give opportunities for water storage and water recharge throughout our farms. What comes behind us is what a friend of ours calls ‘the last crop.’ You kind of have to look at what’s next,” he added.

            Quincey encouraged commissioners to keep the environmental value of farms in mind as they move forward with operating county government over the years to come. He said people will keep coming to Levy County and Florida as a whole. They won’t ever stop. He said they won’t stop people from coming.

            Rural Family Lands

            “But we sure need to have a good agricultural base throughout the state,” he said. “I’m so happy the Legislature last year provided $300 million to the Florida Department of Agriculture for Rural Family Lands that will keep our farms and ranches, and other places continuing to operate. We really would like to enjoy a little of the proceeds of the increase in property values without having to stop doing what we’re doing. Everybody has to retire someday. When we do that, we would sure love to see these things stay the same and continue to be agricultural land.”

            Commissioner John Meeks said he happened to see a list of the people who preceded Quincey in the Florida Agriculture Hall of Fame. He said it included governors, senators, congressmen, former university presidents, and former commissioners of agriculture. He said it’s a distinguished list of public officials. He said he was happy to see that Quincey, a Levy Countian, has joined that list of inductees.

            “It’s a great honor and a source of pride for me,” Meeks said.

            Recruiting Ed Jennings

            He credited Quincey with using his influence to convince Ed Jennings, the current Levy County Agricultural Extension Director, to move to Levy County and take the job. Meeks said he was also involved in recruiting Jennings. The local group that wanted to hire Jennings approached the University of Florida.

            “We told them we found our guy. You have to find a way to make that work. They arranged for it. We got Ed Jennings. I’m not saying other folks wouldn’t have done a good job, but Mr. Ed’s done a fantastic job. For that we always will be indebted to Mr. Don Quincey above everything else,” Meeks said.

            Meeks also thanked Quincey’s wife Donna for all she has done to support her husband through all the water management meetings and everything else. Quincey acknowledged the enormous role she has played in supporting him and the Florida cattle industry.

            “Donna’s my partner. She gets up at 3 a.m. when the sheriff’s office calls about our cattle being out. She does anything she can do to help support our industry,” he said.

            Quincey added that Donna Quincey’s horse riding school has given her students an opportunity to participate in the Florida cattle industry. He said his wife and a ton of other people have been his right-hand man for a number of years.

            “We are glad to have Ed. Thank God he wanted to come to Levy County. One of the most important things is he wanted to come.  He wanted to be here,” Quincey said.

            Best of the Best

            Brooks agreed with Meeks and Mills that induction into the Hall of Fame was an extraordinary accomplishment. He said the 178 inductees represent a wide range of talented people.

            “It’s ranchers, scientists, inventors, and educators. Just like Commissioner Meeks said, it’s a list of the best of the best. I am just proud, like you, to have him here,” Brooks said.

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Board of County Commission Regular Meeting March 7, 2023; Posted March 16, 2023