Local agricultural leaders honored

Marion County Agricultural Hall of Fame 2024 inductees, Dr. Harrell Phillips, left, and Scott Seiler, right, pose after the induction banquet on Nov. 21, 2024, at the Rowan Agricultural Complex. [Photo by Andy Fillmore]

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Posted November 25, 2024 | By Andy Fillmore, andy@ocalagazette.com

Two pillars of the local agricultural industry were inducted into the Marion County Agricultural Hall of Fame during a banquet on Nov. 21.

Dr. Harrell Phillips, a veterinarian and cattleman, and Scott Seiler, recognized for his leadership in peanut production and the beef cattle industry, were inducted during a celebration that included videos of their career accomplishments and testimonials from family members, friends and industry associates.

The two inductees each received a jacket representing their induction into the hall of fame. A plaque with their likeness and a brief description of their contributions was placed on a wall of the Marion County University of Florida/Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences Extension Auditorium at the Rowan Agricultural Center, where the banquet was held. The recognition program began in 2003 according to marionfl.org

Seiler, whose family has owned packing houses, “dedicated his life” to his industry with long workdays, according to the presentation. His wife, Sharon, and daughter, Amber Starling, spoke of his dedication in a video presentation. His son, Andy Seiler, served as a narrator at the banquet. He said his father “inspires” and that his grandchildren said “Scott Seiler fights for what he believes in.”

Seiler’s inductee wall plague states “quality and freshness” are “trademarks” of his work in the peanut production and beef cattle industry. He has shared his “unique knowledge and technical support to young farmers and assisting the industry with securing picking machines to assist in labor shortages.”

Seiler has served in leadership positions on the USDA/FSA Board, Marion County Farm Bureau and Southeastern Youth Fair Rodeo and is a member of the Marion County Cattlemen’s Association, Marion County Farm Bureau, Marion Foster Parent, Ocala Elks Lodge #286 and the Southeastern Youth Fair board, the wall plaque states.

Seiler expressed appreciation to all involved in the induction and said, “God bless you.”

Phillips is active in Marion and Levy counties, according to a biography at farmcredit.com, with which he is a board member. He has been a veterinarian for 37 years, “owns and operates Phillips Ranch, a ranching and background/stocker operation, with almost 1,200 breeding age beef cattle and approximately 1,000 calves annually. The ranch also produces hay, sod, grass seed, small grains and timber,” according to the biography.

Phillips’ sons, Charles and Harrell III spoke of their father’s impact on the industry and a video included testimony from his wife, Debbie, along with friends and business associates about his dedication and leadership.

His wall plaque states that Phillips is “dedicated to preserving the heritage of our land and livestock giving back to the youth of tomorrow and the agriculturalist of today.” It says he donated his time to the Ocala Bull Sale, Southeastern Youth Fair, Florida State Fair, 4-H and FFA members, and has been awarded by the Florida Farm Bureau and Marion Soil and Water District.

Phillips also is the recipient of the National Cattlemen’s Leadership Award and Outstanding Rancher and Leader Award from Farm Credit. The plaque states that Phillips has carried “the voice of Marion County to the state and national levels.”

Phillips stated in remarks following the induction that he considered his selection “the most prestigious” award he has received because it is “not because of what I’ve done but because of what people think of me.”

A highlight of the banquet was the awarding of HOF jackets to a group of past inductees, including Richard Barber (2004), Jo Ann Smith (2007), Bill Reese (2008), Marilyn Grant (2009), Micheal O’Farrell (2010), D.A. Lewis Jr. (2011), Russell (Russ) Randall (2018), Lugustus “Gus” Gray and Jerry Arthur (2020), Terry Teuton (2022) and William (Bill) Phillips (2023).

To learn more, go to sfyl.ifas.ufl.edu/marion/agriculture/agriculture-hall-of-fame