Hall of Fame Award
Hall of Fame
Robert Hochmuth
Regional Specialized Extension Agent
North Florida REC-Suwannee Valley
Live Oak
Essay
Robert (Bob) C. Hochmuth grew up on a vegetable farm on Maryland’s eastern shore. After earning degrees in Agricultural and Extension Education and Entomology from the University of Maryland, Bob began his career in 1982 as a county agent with University of Delaware Cooperative Extension. Since 1988 he has worked for University of Florida IFAS Extension as a multi-county agent, regional specialized agent, and center director. Bob’s 43-year career stands out for his expertise in specialty crops, impactful educational programs, exemplary leadership and mentorship, and unwavering support for the agricultural community.
A lifelong advocate for the watermelon industry, Bob has guided Florida growers in improving water, nutrient, pest and disease management, including conversion to plastic mulch and drip irrigation systems on about 6000 watermelon acres. To support the adoption of best management practices, Bob has used innovative blue-dye demonstrations to show soil water movement, provided petiole-sap testing services, and led on-farm trials of soil-moisture sensors, controlled-release fertilizer, and paper mulch. In 2009, Bob founded the Suwannee Valley Watermelon Institute, an annual program fostering education and collaboration among farmers, industry, and Extension.
As state co-leader of Small Farms and Alternative Enterprise programs from 2005 to 2017, Bob organized six statewide conferences attended by more than 2300 individuals from 60 Florida counties, 35 states, and 6 countries. He launched the Small Farms Academy (SFA) featuring hands-on interactive workshops, such as the Starting a Successful Hydroponic Business short course. Between 2010 and 2024, the SFA created 45 new programs in 24 locations serving a total of 3360 attendees. Bob’s contributions to the profession include authoring or co-authoring 47 refereed journal articles and serving as PI or co-PI on grants totaling $15 million.
Since 2014, Bob has served as center director or assistant center director of the North Florida Research and Education Center – Suwannee Valley, overseeing expansions in programs, personnel, and facilities. Bob inspires others with his can-do attitude, humor, and team building. A servant leader, Bob generously credits the contributions of others, nominates colleagues for awards, and actively seeks opportunities to support their personal and professional growth. In 2013, he earned the first-ever UF/IFAS Extension Mentor of the Year Award.
Bob has been a member of NACAA since 1982. He served as chair on four committees for the 2004 AM/PIC and as fundraising chair for AM/PIC in 2022. He was FACAA president in 2001 and Florida Association of Extension Professionals board chair in 2002 and has served on scores of state committees. Bob is a national winner of seven NACAA awards.
Bob is active with several ag associations and community organizations. He received the first Extension Professional of the Year Award from the Florida Farm Bureau and the Trailblazer of the Year Award from the Suwannee Chamber of Commerce. Also known in the community as “Coach Bob,” he served as a youth soccer and high school soccer coach for 20 years. Bob Hochmuth’s distinguished career embodies NACAA core values of professional excellence, support for Extension colleagues, and public service.
Years of CES Service: 43
Upload Testimonials, Letters of Support and a photo here
Year DSA Awarded: 2003
Letter of State Support
To the nominating committee:
It is my pleasure to nominate Robert “Bob” Hochmuth for the NACAA Hall of Fame Award. Bob
has committed decades of service to both the Florida Association of County Agricultural Agents
(F
Bio - Summary
Education
- MS in Entomology, University of Maryland, 1981
- BS in Agricultural and Extension Education, University of Maryland, 1979
Career
- Regional Specialized Extension Agent IV and Assistant Director of the North Florida Research & Education Center – Suwannee Valley, 2018 to present
- Regional Specialized Extension Agent IV and Director of the Suwannee Valley Agricultural Extension Center, 2014-2018
- Multi-county Extension Agent IV, University of Florida, 1996-2014
- Multi-county Extension Agent III, University of Florida, 1992-1996
- Multi-county Extension Agent II, University of Florida, 1988-1992
- County Extension Coordinator, University of Delaware, 1984-1988
- County Extension Agent, University of Delaware, 1982-1984
Awards
- NACAA awards received: 7-national, 15-regional, 24-state
- ASHS Vegetable Publication Award Winner, 2024
- UF/IFAS Extension James App Outstanding Extension Team Award, 2022
- Suwannee Chamber of Commerce Trailblazer of the Year Award, 2020
- FSHS Vegetable Section Best Paper Award, 2018
- Florida Farm Bureau Federation Extension Professional of the Year Award, 2017
- UF Prudential Productivity Team Award, 2017
- UF/IFAS Extension Mentor of the Year Award, 2013
- Florida Entomological Society Achievement Award for Extension, 2012
- Epsilon Sigma Phi Extension Team Award, 2012
- National Association of Extension 4-H YDP, Search for Excellence Team Award, 2012
- UF/IFAS Extension Art Hornsby Water Quality Fellowship Award, 2011
- National Association of State University and Land Grant Colleges (NASULGC), Excellence in Extension, Southern US Regional Winner, 2006
- USDA Secretary of Agriculture Award for Superior Service, 1995
Bio - Association
FACAA (Florida)/DACAA (Delaware)/NACAA (National) Service Highlights:
2018-2022 FACAA 2022 AM/PIC Fundraising Committee Chair
2018-2022 Extension Professionals Association of Florida, Mentor of The Year Committee
2017 FACAA Gene McAvoy NACAA VP Election Campaign Committee (Also served on VP campaign committees for Liz Felter in 2013 and Jim Self in 2003)
2016-17 FACAA 2022 NACAA AM/PIC Feasibility Committee
2014-15 FACAA Policy and Resolutions Committee
2011 NACAA Southern Region Communications Awards Judge
2004-2011 FACAA Educational Foundation Committee
2010, 2011, 2012, 2016 FACAA Awards and Recognition Committee
2002-03 FACAA Past President
2004 NACAA AM/PIC Annual Banquet Co-Chair (FACAA Representative to NACAA)
2004 NACAA AM/PIC Water Quality Educational Program Chair
2004 NACAA AM/PIC Hydroponic Educational Program Track Chair
2004 NACAA AM/PIC Hydroponic Tour Co-Chair
2002-04 FACAA Executive Committee Member for NACAA 2004 AM/PIC
2004 FACAA AM/PIC Fundraising Committee Member
2003 Florida Delegation Coordinator for PILD (FL Assoc of Extension Professionals)
2002-04 FACAA DSA Banquet Co-Chair
2002-03 Chairman of the Board, Florida Association of Extension Professionals
2002 FACAA Committee Handbook Revision Editor
2001-02 FACAA President
2001 FACAA President (served out remainder of previous President’s term, June-Sept.)
2000-01 NACAA Annual Meeting Planning Committee (FACAA)
2000-2001 FACAA Vice President
2001 FACAA Mid-Year Meeting Chair
2000 FACAA Annual Report Editor
1999-2003 FACAA Board of Directors
2000 FACAA Mid-Year Meeting Chair
1999-2001 Florida Association of Counties “Country Store” Committee
1999-2000 FACAA Leadership and Public Policy Committee
1999-2000 FACAA Legislative Relations Committee
1998-99 FACAA Professional Development Seminar Committee
1998-99 FACAA Constitution and Bylaws Committee
1995-96 FACAA Board of Directors, District II Director
1994-95 FACAA Awards Committee
1994-95 FACAA New Agent Relations Committee
1988- Present- Several other FACAA Committee memberships including Administration Liaison, Horticulture and Turfgrass, Agronomy and Pest Management, Communications, Professional Excellence, County Administration Country Store, and Officer Nominations
1987-88 President of Delaware Association of County Agricultural Agents (DACAA)
1984-87 DACAA Vice President
1982-88 Delaware Association of County Agricultural Agents. I served as Chair of several committees because the overall membership was so small.
FACAA/NACAA Recognition Highlights:
2003 NACAA Distinguished Service Award (as Florida member)
*1995 Extension Program recognized with USDA Secretary of Agriculture Award for Personal and Professional Excellence
2024 National Finalist Search for Excellence Commercial and Consumer Horticulture (Team)
2020 State Winner Communications Award- Video Recording (Team)
2019 National Winner. Communications Award- Video Presentation. “The Florida I Know” Team Award, I was one speaker in the video
2019 National Winner. Agriculture Awareness and Appreciation Award (Team Award)
2019 National Winner Communications Awards. Website Category. (Team Award)
2019 National Finalist Communications Awards. Bound Book Category (Team Leader, K. Athearn)
2017 State Winner Search for Excellence in Crop Production Team Award
2015 National Finalist Search for Excellence in Young, Beginning or Small Farmers (Team)
2014 State Winner Search for Excellence in Crop Production, “Improving the Competitiveness of the Watermelon Industry in the Suwannee Valley” (Team Leader)
2013 UF/IFAS Extension Mentor of the Year
2012 National Winner, Search for Excellence-Farm Health and Safety (Team Leader)
2012 NEA4-HA State Winner Search for Excellence, Team Award- Fall Harvest Experience
2002 National Winner Search for Excellence, Crop Production
2002 State Winner Search for Excellence, 4-H and Youth
2002 UF/IFAS Extension Jim App Award for Outstanding Design Program Team
2001 State Winner Communications Award, Publication
2001 State Winner Communications Award, Video/TV Category
2000 National Finalist Communications Award, Web Page
2000 State Winner Communications Team Publication
1994 FACAA Best Paper Award, FL Association of Extension Professionals
DACAA (Delaware)/NACAA Recognition Highlights:
1988 NACAA Achievement Award
1987 State Winner Public Information Awards, Personal Column
1986 NACAA NE Region Winner, Search for Excellence, Crop Production
1986 State Winner, Chemlawn Environmental Protection in the Use of Pesticides
1986 NACAA NE Region Winner, Lesco Horticulture Communications, Fact Sheet
1986 State Winner Public Information Awards, Direct Mail Piece
1985 Outstanding New Agent/Specialist Award (Epsilon Sigma Phi)
Bio - Humanitarian
2022-2025 Columbia Youth Soccer Association Youth Soccer Coach (Under 7 Yr Old)
2018-2021 Ft White High School “Hochmuth Family Scholarship” for Academic and Athletic Excellence (twin sons, my wife and I contributed funds for this scholarship)
2000- Present Mt Olive Church- Men’s Group Activities Committee, Men’s Group Sunday School Class Member, Church Staffing Committee Member
2019-2022 Live Oak Rotary Club Member, Trailblazer of the Year Award
2012 Nutrients for Life Foundation, Ft White High School, Florida FFA Helping Communities Grow Chapter. My role was the overall design and implementation of the project and assisting with training the students.
2000- 2006 Ft White High School Boys Varsity Soccer Coach
1996-1999 Columbia High School Varsity Boys Soccer Coach
1993 Columbia High School Volunteer Leader to Build Practice Soccer Fields and Irrigation System
1993-1996 Columbia High School Boys JV Soccer Coach
1993- 1996 Columbia Youth Summer Soccer Camp Director
1992 Coordinated Travel Soccer Team Fundraiser Project- Growing and Selling 3 Acres of Pumpkins
1989- 1999 Youth Soccer Referee, Travel Team Coach
1989-1995 Columbia Youth Soccer Board of Directors
1989- Present Suwannee County Farm Bureau “Affiliated” Board of Directors Member
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