Crowd gets an extra surprise at ceremony for Bradenton area Agriculturist of the Year
The recipient of the Manatee County Agriculturist of the Year Award is always a closely guarded secret. It’s comes as a surprise to the honoree and to the audience.
Tuesday, Kiwanis President Neil Unruh had a bonus surprise.
In memory of the late comedian Gallagher, who gained fame smashing watermelons and other fruits and vegetables, Unruh smashed a watermelon from the dais at Kiwanis Hall.
In true Gallagher style, Unruh handed out yellow raincoats to those in the front row to protect them against the splatter.
Saying that he had been encouraged to have fun at the meeting, Unruh hit the watermelon with two quick blows of a rubber mallet, dropping fragments at the feet of those in the front row.
But he didn’t achieve the massive splatter seen at a Gallagher performance. He would have needed a much larger hammer.
As Tuesday’s awards program ended, Unruh had one more surprise to engage the audience. He tossed three tomatoes into the crowd, one bouncing off the shoulder of County Commissioner Carol Whitmore who had looked away from the dais.
Agriculturist of the year
This year’s agriculturist of the year, Peter Vole III, 57, came to Tuesday’s meeting thinking he was going to be part of a three-member panel discussing agriculture.
But he quickly caught on to the ruse when award committee chair Brenda Rogers said that this year’s recipient is known for celebrating youth and their accomplishments in agriculture.
“He chose agriculture. He wasn’t born to it,” Rogers said.
Peter Vole and his wife, Kim, moved to Manatee County in 1992 to establish a State Farm Insurance agency.
“His interest in agriculture became evident almost immediately as Peter started investing in agriculture enterprises. He established a herd of British white cattle, introducing the breed to many in the area. His agriculture interests have included cattle, citrus and, for a time, turf for golf courses,” Rogers said.
Vole is known for working quietly behind the scenes and, in fact, was seated in the back of Kiwanis Hall when called forward Tuesday.
”Mr. Vole is best known for supporting youth ventures in agriculture, leadership and citizenship. As 4-H Club leader, he prides himself in helping youth discover their passions and grow into their full potential,” Rogers said.
“For years he has been one of the key leaders willing to take off a week spending the time at camp with 400 children. It is a significant way to spend time volunteering,” she said.
Vole has also supported the Duette Historical Association. A few weeks ago he was part of a team cooking spaghetti dinner and made the cannoli being sold by a local 4-H Club.
As agriculturist of the year, Vole, who has not sought attention for his service, becomes the newest inductee into the Manatee County Agriculture Hall of Fame.
“I did not expect this today,” said an appreciative Vole afterwards.
The spotlight on agriculture
Manatee County agriculture has annual sales of about $360 million on products grown on about 219,000 acres in Manatee County. There are about local 750 farms.
Judge Gilbert Smith, Tuesday’s keynote speaker, said the Bradenton Kiwanis Club has had a strong connection with farming dating back to the club’s founding in 1922.
Many of the club’s early presidents were farmers and four county extension agents over the years — John Logan, William Harper Kendrick, Richard Aalberg and Brenda Rogers — also served as presidents of the Bradenton Kiwanis Club, Smith said.
The theme of Manatee County Farm-City Week this year is “Farm City Week Salutes Bradenton Kiwanis” in honor of the 100-year tradition between the club and farming.
This story was originally published November 15, 2022 at 4:50 PM.
