PRESS RELEASE 7/1/2007

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News Release

Florida Cattlemen’s Association Names Local Farmer as 2007 “Outstanding Rancher of the Year”

The Florida Cattlemen’s Association at their Annual Convention held June 19-21 in Marco Island, Florida named E.L. STRICKLAND of Ocala, Florida, the Outstanding Rancher of the Year. The award, which is sponsored each year by the Farm Credit System, was presented by Todd Dailey of Farm Credit of North Florida.

“E.L. Strickland manages Circle Square Ranch and runs approximately 1200 head of brood cows in southwest Marion County”, Dailey said. “E.L. is a Marion County native, born on the farm.” The Circle Square herd consists primarily of Braford cattle, direct descendents of the original Norris Cattle Company herd. Circle Square also maintains a herd of purebred Brahman for breeding purposes.

E.L. is a local leader and experienced cattleman. He is the former President of the Marion County Cattlemen’s Association, past State Director of the Florida Cattlemen’s Association, past Chairman and lifetime Director of the Southeastern Youth Fair, member of the Extension Service Advisory Committee and also Chairman and Sales Manager of the Ocala Bull Sale.

Recently E.L. hosted a group of local and state political figures to Circle Square Ranch as part of an informative bus tour of several commercial farms in Marion County. While discussing the current issues at hand such as foreign trade and food safety, E.L. reminded them all that any successful rancher is going to take good care of his land, water and cattle since that is his livelihood. E.L. told them “Every animal that leaves his farm has the Circle Square brand on it. It only takes one bad one and that is all that they will remember.”

E.L.’s daughter Jennifer, son-in-law and granddaughter live in nearby Gainesville, Florida.