He started out as a Bradenton cowboy, and became a leader in Florida agriculture
Cliff Coddington’s great-grandfather introduced him to cattle ranching when he was 13 years old, and the sixth-generation resident of Manatee County never looked back.
Now 62, Coddington received the 2021 Outstanding Agriculturist Award on Tuesday during the Bradenton Kiwanis Club luncheon.
“It’s a passion that drives me,” Coddington says. “I love what I do and it’s not really a job.”
Christa Kirby, a member of the Manatee County Extension Office, presented the award, one of the highlights of Manatee Farm City Week. Coddington has come far after graduating from Southeast High School, becoming an industry leader, she said.
“He went to work at Schroeder-Manatee Ranch as a ranch hand and equipment operator. During his 25 years of service, he worked his way up through the ranks to cattle, farm lease and bahia sod manager. A the time, Schroeder-Manatee Ranch was a 28,000-acre diversified agricultural operation,” Kirby said.
“At its peak, the ranch was home to over 3,000 head of mama cows. During his time at Schroeder Manatee Ranch, he was able to improve herd genetics and transform the herd into a highly productive Brangus herd. Today, you know this ranch as Lakewood Ranch,” Kirby said.
In 2005, Coddington left SMR and went to work for Buster Longino at Longino Ranch in Sarasota County. In addition to working with the cattle operation, he diversified the operations at Longino Ranch to include range land management, timber, citrus, farming and sod.
The agriculturist award cited Coddington’s work with educational programming for the University of Florida, 4-H Clubs, FFA, Junior Cattlemen’s Association and others.
Coddington, serving this year as president of the Florida Cattlemen’s Association, was also cited for his work with many other agricultural associations.
Coddington was humble in the acceptance of the Agriculturist of the Year Award, saying afterward, it is an honor. “It’s nothing that no one else hasn’t done.”
His wife of 34 years, Tara, said that Coddington is a compassionate man who likes to help others.
His daughter, Samantha Coddington, said her father is a hard worker and that the honor is well deserved.
Jim Strickland, a Manatee County cattleman and previous agriculturist of the year, served as keynote speaker Tuesday.
The Florida cattle industry actually started 500 years ago when Spanish explorer Juan Ponce de Leon brought cattle ashore at Charlotte Harbor, Strickland said.
Ranches can help play a key role in the preservation of Florida’s natural environment, said Strickland, who serves as vice chair of the Florida Conservation Group.
Coddington and Judy Anderson, who has been recognized for her longtime work with children and raising goats, are this year’s inductees into the Manatee County Agricultural Hall of Fame.
Last year, rancher and youth advocate Hansel “Cully” Rowell was named agriculturist of the year, when the annual Kiwanis luncheon was canceled because of COVID-19 concerns. Dairymen Cameron, Jerry and Farren Dakin were selected for induction into the Manatee County Agricultural Hall of Fame.
This story was originally published November 16, 2021 at 4:44 PM.
