Francis Rooney: “Tonight, I honor one of the most respected dairy leaders in the State of Florida, Red Larson, as he celebrates his 90th…”

“Tonight, I honor one of the most respected dairy leaders in the State of Florida, Red Larson, as he celebrates his 90th birthday. In the 1930s, Red worked the local paper route, saving and investing his money until he could purchase his first dairy cow. By the time he graduated from high school, he owned six cows, rented eight more, and had 21 calves. After a half century of hard work, Red merged 37 dairies into the three that now make up Larson Dairy, Incorporated, which he and his two grandsons currently own and operate. Larson Dairy produces 120 million pounds of milk annually, making it one of the largest dairies in the United States. The Larson name is synonymous with Florida dairy. Truly a constant source of knowledge and experience, Larson served on the USDA Dairy Advisory Committee, and he has been inducted into both the Dairy Hall of Fame and the Florida Agricultural Hall of Fame. I am honored to recognize Red Larson on his 90th birthday and to thank him for his longstanding dedication and contributions to the U.S. dairy industry. ____________________”