[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 172 (Thursday, November 19, 2009)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2827]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         HONORING CARY LIGHTSEY

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. ADAM H. PUTNAM

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, November 19, 2009

  Mr. PUTNAM. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor a nationally 
recognized leader in protecting the environment and a sixth generation 
Florida rancher, Cary Lightsey of Lake Wales, Florida, who was awarded 
the 2009 Southeastern Farmer of the Year.
  The Sunbelt Agricultural Exhibition Southeastern Farmer of the Year 
Award honors excellence in agricultural production and management, 
leadership in community and farm organizations, and recognizes family 
contributions in producing safe, abundant supplies of food, fiber and 
shelter for U.S. consumers. Cary Lightsey, as the sixth award recipient 
to come from the state of Florida, represents some of the best of 
American agriculture.
  It is a great privilege to recognize Cary Lightsey and his family for 
their many achievements and contributions to the fanning industry and 
to their community.
  Brahma Island, a large secluded region in Lake Kissimmee, is home to 
28 endangered species, 14 nests of bald eagles and 300-year-old oaks, 
ancient Indian settlements, wild game, and commercial beef cattle. This 
island, owned by Cary Lightsey, and the Lightsey Cattle Co., is 
preserved in its natural state and will remain so through a perpetual 
conservation easement. On the island and his other ranches, Lightsey 
raises over 7,000 head of commercial cattle.
  Lightsey and his family have been innovative leaders in methods to 
market cattle, development of replacement stock, as well as expansion 
and vertical integration into the cattle market throughout the United 
States. In addition to raising livestock on the island, Lightsey offers 
ecological tours and guided hunts for wild hogs and exotic deer.
  Cary Lightsey was the first Florida rancher to use conservation 
easements. By keeping 40 percent of his ranches in native land use, 
Lightsey has been able to make extensive use of conservation easements 
that cover about 70 percent of his ranching properties. With the 
easements, Lightsey retains ownership of the land and receives benefits 
from environmental and governmental organizations in return for giving 
up his rights to develop the land.
  In addition to these conservation and livestock endeavors, Lightsey 
has been involved in several other innovative ventures including 
harvesting palmetto berries used for a prostate cancer medicine, 
relocating threatened gopher turtles onto his ranches, and his latest 
effort, raising Wagyu cattle for the Japanese beef market. He has also 
established new grass varieties used for forages and treatments for 
water flow nutrients, sharing these technologies with other Florida 
ranchers.
  Cary Lightsey has made valuable contributions to his community 
through numerous civic activities as well. Each year he donates cattle 
to the Florida State Fair Futurity Steer Show, is active in the Polk 
County Youth Fair, and has served on numerous conservation and water 
management district land boards.
  I stand today to commend Cary Lightsey and his family, including his 
wife, three children and grandchildren for this honor, which was said 
to be have been bestowed due to his entrepreneurial spirit, good 
business judgment, sound farming practices, high ethical standards and 
leadership in his family, community, state and nation. The 2009 Sunbelt 
Expo Southeastern Farmer of the Year title was also awarded to Lightsey 
for his sensitivity to the environment, his response to community and 
social concerns, and his ``abiding devotion to his family, his faith 
and his nation.''
  Madam Speaker, I am honored to represent this great American.

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