Imogene Yarborough, the 'Cow Lady,' Named Ag Woman of the Year

Imogene Yarborough, who has been a staple of Florida ranching for nearly 60 years, has been named the 2012 Woman of the Year in Agriculture.

Commissioner of Agriculture Adam Putnam and the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services announced the award Friday.

Yarborough, whose family operates the 8,000-acre Yarborough Ranch in Geneva, has served in leadership roles at the county, state and national Cattlemens and CattleWomens Associations as well as serving on numerous state and local agricultural advisory boards, the state department noted.

Currently the president of the Seminole County Farm Bureau, Yarborough, who has been coined the Cow Lady for her work with 4-H and FFA, was the last Cowbelles president and the first Florida CattleWomen state president after the Cowbelles name change.

My whole life has been built around my family, the ranch, my church, the Cattlemens Association, Farm Bureau and the Geneva Community, Yarborough stated in a release.

Yarbrough will be presented with the award during the opening-day luncheon at the Florida State Fair in Tampa.