Swindle.
It’s a name ever growing in synonymity with agriculture. And, with the coming induction of Larry and Debbie Swindle to the Florida Future Farmers of America Hall of Fame, that synonymity is near guaranteed.
“Larry and Debbie continue to find new and innovative ways to support FFA on the local, state and national levels and their support comes in a variety of ways,” Michael Rogalsky, a Florida FFA spokesperson, said in a news release. “They are always willing to lend a helping hand at any event, serve on many boards through the FFA, support the various awards and leadership development events and encourage and guide others to bleed blue and gold.”
Married couple Larry, 63, and Debbie, 61, have been involved in agriculture all their lives, they said, and in FFA since the late ‘60s.
“It’s a great honor,” Larry Swindle said. “People don’t realize what a proud moment it is for us to be inducted into the hall of fame. It’s not something to be taken lightly when you’re helping kids. I believe the FFA has more future leaders than any other organization.”
Larry Swindle joined the Plant City High School FFA as a freshman in 1967. That year, the PCHS FFA won the livestock and dairy state FFA championship and competed nationally. Debbie Swindle, who was a member of PCHS’s first graduating class at the Alexander Street campus in 1973, wasn’t eligible to be an FFA member for most of her high school career. The National FFA Organization voted to allow women to join in 1969, but PCHS didn’t allow women to join FFA until 1973.
“It was one of those things. I’ve been raised on a farm my whole life. If I had been able to, I probably would’ve joined,” Debbie Swindle said. “Growing up, we were out on the farm just as any other boy. That’s where we came from. That’s where I came from. With FFA now, there’s so many leadership opportunities.”
The Swindles said they’ve watched the FFA change over the years. These days, they said they sometimes see as many, if not more, women than men in the organization, especially in leadership roles. And, it runs in the family. Their granddaughter, Madi Conrad, is a chapter officer for the PCHS FFA and granddaughter, Anna Conrad, is the Area 5 state vice president for the Florida FFA.
The Swindles said they’ve watched their granddaughters grow into future leaders through the FFA, as they have many young men and women over the years. That’s why they support the organization with such dedication, they said. The Swindle’s are known for sponsoring scholarships, buying steers and swine and donating money so FFA members can attend conventions. While they help at the high school and college levels both nationally and statewide, the Rocking S Farms owners are especially known for their support of the Florida Strawberry Festival agriculture shows.
“Larry and Debbie Swindle have been some of the most dedicated and generous supporters in the history of the Florida Strawberry Festival’s youth livestock programs,” Florida Strawberry Festival President Paul Davis said. “Not only have they provided financial support to many of our exhibitors, they have also given of their time and knowledge to help foster a love for agriculture in our young people. Many of our exhibitors are better equipped for their futures because of the Swindles, and we are honored to call them friends.”
The Swindle’s said the induction is a humbling experience. They don’t like the limelight and see themselves more as “behind the scenes people.” They help because, to them, it’s the right thing to do.
“That (FFA) is where our future leaders are coming from. If we don’t help try to develop them and support them, where will we be in the future?” Larry Swindle said. “God blessed us to where we can do this. These young people are the ones who are going to take care of us in the future. It’s a pleasure and a blessing for us to be able to do this. The world will be a much better place if we help people instead of trying to run each other down.”
The Swindles will officially be inducted into the Florida FFA Hall of Fame during an induction ceremony Sept. 25 at the Florida FFA Leadership Training Center in Haines City. Larry’s father, Ed Swindle, and his high school agriculture teachers Richard Joyner and Ray Arrington are also Florida FFA Hall of Fame members.