Bob Hochmuth Inducted into National County Agent Hall of Fame

Megan Winslow, Public Relations Specialist, UF/IFAS Communications

Bob Hochmuth, Live Oak, Florida, grew up on a 1,000-acre vegetable farm on Maryland’s eastern shore. As a child, he watched his father and two uncles manage the farm, and the three men were always busy. They didn’t allow anyone to disrupt their work. Except for one man.  “I noticed that whenever this individual came to the farm, they stopped and treated him with great respect. It was obvious that this person was really important to the family and to the farm,” said Hochmuth, Regional Specialized Extension Agent for vegetable crops for the University of Florida’s Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS).

This man, Hochmuth later learned, was Robert “Bob” Miller, the legendary agricultural county agent in Wicomico County, Maryland.  He inspired Hochmuth to follow a similar career path and provide the farmers in his community with research-backed solutions.  In 2013, Hochmuth watched Miller’s induction into the National Association of County Agricultural Agents (NACAA) Hall of Fame. Last week, Hochmuth became an inductee himself, one of only 78 NACAA Hall of Fame members, and only the fourth from Florida.  “To watch a person who I held in such high regard receive this award was very, very impactful in my life,” said Hochmuth. “And to think I’m now in the same Hall of Fame. That is the part that is so hard for me to grasp. So, I fully understand the importance of this award, and I am humbled to receive it.”

The NACAA is a professional organization for county agricultural agents working in industries like agriculture, horticulture and forestry. The Hall of Fame Award, its highest honor, was created in 2006 to recognize agents who have demonstrated commitment, dedication and leadership, as well as humanitarian service and association involvement at both the state and national level.

Kevin Athearn, a UF/IFAS regional specialized agent, led the charge of colleagues who nominated Hochmuth for the Hall of Fame.  Athearn said he can’t think of anyone more deserving.  “Bob’s 43-year career stands out for his expertise in vegetable crops, impactful educational programs, exemplary leadership and mentorship and dedication to serving the agricultural community,” Athearn said. “When I floated the idea of nominating Bob to several colleagues, everyone said, ‘Heck yeah, let’s do it.’”

The award has generally been presented to agents who have retired, but Hochmuth’s career is still very active. He has served as the assistant center director of the UF/IFAS North Florida Research & Education Center – Suwannee Valley (NFREC-SV) since 2014, establishing it as a hub for agriculture in the region. Farmers and industry partners have expressed support for the research taking place under his leadership by funding $500,000 in capital improvements there.  As a Regional Specialized Extension Agent, Hochmuth works one-on-one with growers to improve water, nutrient, pest and disease management on their farms. Farmer testimonials about his contributions to their operations’ success prompted the Florida Farm Bureau Federation to name him Extension Professional of the Year in 2017, the inaugural year for that award.

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Hochmuth is intricately involved with the Suwannee Valley’s 10,000-acre watermelon industry and has promoted food safety and water-saving measures related to that crop. He founded the Suwannee Valley Watermelon Institute, an annual event that facilitates education and collaboration among farmers, industry partners and Extension.

Hochmuth credits many of his career successes to synergy with researchers. His relationships with farmers make him uniquely positioned to communicate their needs to scientists capable of creating innovative tools and methods to simplify their work and improve their crops.  One such research collaboration led to one of Hochmuth’s most impactful contributions to the agriculture industry. Working with UF/IFAS professor Eric Simonne, he developed a pioneering technique that promotes water conservation by injecting blue dye into irrigation lines. The dye colors the soil so farmers can see how far water travels over time. Publications describing the technique are among the hundreds of research citations attributed to Hochmuth.

Recognizing how mentors helped shape his own career, Hochmuth actively supports the personal and professional growth of others. In 2013, he was named the UF/IFAS Extension Mentor of the Year, the first person to receive that award.  Perhaps the most important concept Hochmuth teaches his mentees is respect. His first boss, Extension director Dave Woodward of Kent County in Delaware, exemplified how it applies to Extension work.  “He was an incredible man, and he taught me early on to be respectful of the farmers we’re serving as agents,” Hochmuth said. “Ever since, I’ve viewed each one as somebody who could be my father, asking for help.”