Erin Hill
Gadsden County News Service
A lifetime of dedication to agriculture was honored this week.
Harvey Suber and his late brother, John Suber, were recognized this week as the 2025 Agriculturalists of the Year by the Florida Association of County Agricultural Agents (FACAA). The honor was announced at the Extension Professionals of Florida Association Conference in Daytona Beach.
The brothers, owners and operators of S.K. Enterprises in Gadsden County, were nominated by the Gadsden Extension Team for their decades of leadership and service to local agriculture and Extension programs. Although John Suber passed away in December 2024, both men were nominated together in recognition of the impact they made as a team.
John and Harvey Suber began their agricultural careers in 1962, joining their father at Suber Cattle Company. After their father’s passing in 1965, the brothers took over the operation—John leading financial and administrative efforts, and Harvey managing farm operations. In the 1970s, they shifted their business focus to tomato production, founding S.K. Enterprises, which has since expanded to produce tomatoes, cattle, citrus, corn, peanuts, soybeans, small grains, and sod.
In 2019, the Subers were inducted into the UF/IFAS North Florida Research and Education Center (NFREC) Hall of Fame, an award recognizing individuals who demonstrate exceptional support and involvement with the Center.
Harvey currently serves as president of the Gadsden County Tomato Growers Association, and John also served as a director on the board. Together, they partnered with UF/IFAS Extension to host the annual Gadsden County Tomato Forum and supported the Gadsden County 4-H program through fundraising and research collaborations.
Both John and Harvey served for decades on the Gadsden County Extension Advisory Committee, and Harvey continues to serve as Chair of the Overall Extension Advisory Committee. John also served on the Gadsden County 4-H Advisory Committee until his passing.
Following John’s death in 2024, a flag was flown over the Florida State Capitol in his honor.
In an email announcing the award, Danielle Sprague Williams of the Gadsden Extension Team wrote, “Harvey and John Suber were honored this week at the Extension Professionals of Florida Association Conference in Daytona Beach… the Gadsden Extension Team nominated both brothers, because together, they have made a lasting impact on our local agriculture and Extension communities.”
