MANATEE — The late Henry B. Parrish, a respected Myakka rancher, will be inducted posthumously as the 2009 Agricultural Hall of Fame honoree, a spokeswoman said Thursday.
Parrish and his late wife, Julia, operated a ranch near Myakka for decades before his death in 1995 at the age of 81. He was known as the consummate rancher and a person of the highest character.
“He was an outstanding person overall,” said Betty Glassburn, a spokeswoman for the Hall of Fame.
“Mr. Henry and Miss Julia had 1,200 acres in Myakka, raised cows, and did ‘best management practices’ before it was the thing,” said Glassburn.
Although the couple did not have any children of their own, they loved youngsters and spent much time and energy helping them, she said.
“He signed the loan that got the money to build the youth center in Myakka,” Glassburn said.
Henry Parrish was the great-grandson of the cattleman after whom the town of Parrish was named. From when he was a boy, he worked cattle. As an adult, his ranch was located off Clay Gully Road, next to Myakka River State Park, said Jim Strickland, a long-time friend.
“Henry was the epitome of what you mean when you say somebody’s a good rancher and a good man,” Strickland said. “He was quiet, He was humble. Some of us can give financially, and some can serve, but he did both.”
“He was a good steward of the land, a gentle man of the highest caliber, very seldom would he raise his voice,” Strickland said. “He took care of the land and a lot of children that he never had.”
The induction will take place at the Historical Luncheon Nov. 19 at the Woman’s Club of Palmetto. The luncheon is among many activities planned for Farm City Week, Nov. 13-21, when those who work in agriculture celebrate its importance.
“We in the agricultural community try to educate our neighbors in the city about the importance of agriculture,” said Glassburn. “Without the farmers, there would be no food on your table.”
In Manatee County, tourism ranks first in economic impact while agriculture ranks second, she said.
The event’s theme this year is “Fresh From Manatee,” as local farmers and ranchers try to encourage people to buy locally rather than purchasing items from overseas, said Glassburn.
Farm tours are slated for Nov. 13, Glassburn said. Among the stops will be Gamble Creek Farm and Mitchell John Blueberry Farm, both near Parrish, followed by lunch at Duette’s Dry Prairie Baptist Church. The tour continues with a visit to Rosa Fiorelli Winery, H & H Nursery and Mixon’s Fruit Farms.
Two different essay contests are offered to youngsters, both with monetary rewards, she said. The “outstanding agriculturist of the year award” will be presented at a luncheon sponsored by the Kiwanis Club on Nov. 17, she added.
For information and tickets, call the Manatee County Extension Office, (941) 722-4524.
Sara Kennedy, Herald reporter, can be reached at (941) 745-7031 or at skennedy@bradenton.com
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