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(ORLANDO, FLA.) - Reps. Joe Spratt (R-LaBelle), Lindsay Harrington (R-Punta Gorda) and Dwight Stansel (D-Live Oak) were honored as Florida Farm Bureau Legislators of the Year at the Florida Farm Bureau Federation’s 2001 annual meeting Oct. 26-29 at the Orlando Airport Marriott.

Rep. Spratt began his political career as an elected Hendry County commissioner in 1988. In 1996, he was elected to the state House of Representatives. His district, House District 77, encompasses parts of Highlands, Glades, Hendry and Collier counties.

“Whether developing a growth management rural policy initiative or working to fund the eradication of citrus canker, Rep. Spratt is always on the front lines for agriculture,” said Carl B. Loop Jr., president of Florida Farm Bureau Federation.

Rep. Spratt served as chairman of the House Agricultural Committee and also serves on the Crime Prevention, General Government Appropriations and the House Redistricting committees.

Rep. Lindsay Harrington began his political career in 1988 when he was elected to the city council of Punta Gorda. He later became vice mayor and then mayor. In 1996, he upset the Democratic incumbent to serve as state representative for House District 72. His district includes Hardee, DeSoto and parts of Charlotte and Lee counties.

“Rep. Harrington is a strong proponent of property rights and a faithful supporter of agricultural issues,” Loop said.

As chairman of the House Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Committee, he closely watches over potential new environmental regulations and their effects on the production of agriculture. He also serves on the Fiscal Responsibility Council, the Council for Ready Infrastructure, the Council for Lifelong Learning and the Colleges and Universities Committee.

Rep. Dwight Stansel began his political career just three years ago when he ran for an open House seat covering Columbia, Dixie, Gilchrist, Hamilton, Lafayette, Madison and Suwannee counties. He is a member of Suwannee County Farm Bureau, the Suwannee County Farm Service Agency, the Florida Chamber of Commerce, the Florida Forestry Association, and is a trustee and secretary of the Suwannee Valley Electric Co-op.

Rep. Stansel was born and raised on a fifth-generation family farm. He owns and operates the Dwight Stansel Farm and Nursery, which is a diversified agricultural operation consisting of poultry, tobacco and a forestry seedling nursery.

“Naturally, Rep. Stansel is a strong supporter of agriculture in the Legislature,” said Loop.

Rep. Stansel serves as vice chairman of the Education Appropriations Committee and is a member of the Agriculture and Consumer Affairs, Crime Prevention, Corrections and Safety, the Rules, Ethics and Elections committees and the Council for Ready Infrastructure.

The Florida Farm Bureau Federation is the state’s largest general agricultural association with more than 143,000 member-families statewide. Headquartered in Gainesville, the Federation is an independent, non-profit agricultural organization and is not associated with any arm of the government. For more information about the convention and the organization, visit http://FloridaFarmBureau.org.