This fund was established in honor of James Watson. A Jacksonville native, Watson found his calling in the field of agriculture. He held the position of County Agricultural Agent for Santa Rosa, Columbia, Lake and Duval counties for twenty four years until retirement in 1975. While serving as county agent, he was also the host of a daily, award-winning Jacksonville television program “Hi, Neighbor.” For 20 years, after which he had a second program “Down to Earth with Jim Watson” for another 14 years. Jim was also frequently found at Ace Hardware and other retail stores answering gardening questions.
As a county agent, Watson frequently had to take positions that were controversial or unpopular, but he never hesitated to stand up for “his farmers.” He was deeply involved with 4-H Club activities, and his former 4-H Club members have reached various levels of service that range from state legislators to key positions of leadership in agriculture. Jim was a lifetime member of the Men’s Garden Club of Jacksonville.
In 1982, Watson was named to the Florida Agricultural Hall of Fame. He has served in several professional societies as Secretary-Treasurer of the National Association of County Agricultural Agents, Director of the National Association of County Agricultural Agents, Farm Bureau Director, and as President of the Florida Association of County Agricultural Agents. A 1941 graduate of the University of Florida, Watson served in the South Pacific during World War II and received the Bronze Star and the Purple Heart. Watson passed away in 1998.
The James Watson Memorial Scholarship Fund has been awarded to the following recipients:
2023-2024
Ciara Chiampou, Port Orange, FL (Plant Science)
Andrew Komatz, Jacksonville, FL (Plant Science)
2022-2023
Ciara Chiampou, Port Orange, FL (Plant Science)
Shelby Nipper, Macclenny, FL (Plant Science)
2021-2022
Ciara Chiampou, Port Orange, FL (Plant Science)
Cori DuBois, Jacksonville, FL (Horticultural Science)
Shelby Nipper, Macclenny, FL (Plant Science)
2020-2021
Cori DuBois, Jacksonville, FL (Horticultural Science)
Mary Dose, Gainesville, FL (Plant Science)
2019-2020
Juliahna Robbins, Alachua County
William Donaghy, Clay County
2018-2019
Juliahna Robbins, Alachua County
William Donaghy, Clay County
2017-2018
Mikal Wegener, Alachua County
2016-2017
Kristen Kempfert, Alachua County
Sophia Gibaldi, Alachua County
Zoe Martusewicz, Volusia County
2015-2016
Victor Zayas, Alachua County
2014-2015
Mary Glazer, Alachua County
Victor Zayas, Alachua County
Victoria Turbyfill, Alachua County
2013
Charles Brown, Gainesville, FL
Leah Cobb, Gainesville, FL
Andrea Johnson, Deland, FL
Victoria Turbyfill, Newberry, FL
2012
Bernard Flynn III, Atlantic Beach, FL
Adrienne Hidalgo, High Springs, FL
Andrea Johnson, Deland, FL
2011
Gina DeFalco, Palm Coast, FL
Adrienne Hidalgo, High Springs, FL
2010
Erika Larsen, Ponte Vedra Beach, FL
Robyn Moore, Gainesville, FL
2009
Valerie Anderson, Ormond Beach, FL
William Lester, Melbourne, FL