Photo courtesy of Manatee County Parks & Natural Resources Department

At the 64th Annual Kiwanis Club of Bradenton’s Farm City Week luncheon yesterday, Cliff Coddington of Myakka City was named the 2021 Manatee County Agriculturalist of the Year. Cliff is a 6th generation lifelong resident of Manatee County who can trace his ancestors to some of the original homesteaders of the county. 

Cliff discovered his passion for cattle through his great grandfather who started him in the cattle business. Shortly after graduation, he went to work for Schroeder Manatee Ranch as a ranch hand and equipment operator. During his 25 years of service, he worked his way up through the ranks to the Cattle, Farm Lease and Bahia Sod Manager. At the time Schroeder Manatee Ranch was a 28,000-acre diversified agricultural operation. At their peak the ranch was home to over 3,000 head of momma cows. During his time at Schroeder Manatee Ranch, he was able to improve the herd genetics and transform the herd into a highly productive Brangus herd. Today, you know this ranch as Lakewood Ranch. 

Cliff went to work for Buster Longino at Longino Ranch in eastern Sarasota County as the general manager. Longino Ranch is a vast family-owned agriculture operation in Eastern Sarasota County. Along with the cattle, he has diversified the operations at Longino Ranch to include Rangeland Management, Timber, Citrus, farming and sod along with several other operations. Under his direction Longino Ranch was awarded the Farm Bureau CARES Award for voluntarily implementing Best Management Practices and promoting environmentally sound and economically viable farming and ranching practices. Cliff’s nomination was summed up by saying “he has been a cowboy and a rancher for many years. But much more than that, he’s an industry leader.”

Photo courtesy of Manatee County Parks & Natural Resources Department