FARM RAISED | FARM PROUD
Cindy Griffin
District 8
Hendry, Glades, Palm Beach, Western Palm Beach, Collier, Broward, Dade, Monroe
Cindy Griffin represents counties in District 8 for the Florida Farm Bureau State Women’s Committee. The South Florida native was born in Fort Lauderdale and was raised in Clewiston, part of Hendry County and dubbed the “Sweetest Town on Earth” because of the massive sugarcane acreage in that area.
Griffin has always had a strong interest in environmental issues. She attended the University of Florida and later moved back to Broward County to receive her Bachelor’s degree from Florida Atlantic University.
Griffin has two grown daughters, Leah and Amy, who have blessed her with three granddaughters. “I want my daughters to know that a woman can be an advocate,” she said. “One female voice can make a difference.”
Griffin is an environmental facilitator and teacher for Broward County Public Schools (BCPS) and is the school garden contact for the county. She has been a teacher for more than 30 years. “I’m proud to represent the hard-working people of agriculture in South Florida,” she said.
Griffin serves on her local Broward County Farm Bureau (BCFB) Board of Directors as well as on the Florida Nursery Growers and Landscape Association (FNGLA) Board. “Horticulture is a big part of South Florida agriculture,” she said.
Two events that she is most fond of are FFB’s Legislative Days and the Taste of Florida Agriculture Event in Tallahassee as well as Broward County’s “Water Matters Day.”
Griffin explained that she represents BCFB and the FNGLA at both events and she feels strongly that her professional and personal life come together when she has a chance to lobby the legislatures on behalf of agriculture.
“I realize the strong impact women have on the legislature,” she said. “You have to constantly educate people on issues affecting agriculture.” Griffin has been involved with Florida Farm Bureau for nearly 20 years and said that one of her greatest hobbies is supporting her local Farm Bureau.
“Agriculture is traditionally a man’s world and I want other women to know that they should never give up and never stop learning,” she said. Her advice to women interested in joining their local Farm Bureaus is, “Find your niche. There is so much you can do to contribute.”
One of her favorite recipes is Strawberry Pie, a recipe that was shared with her by a friend and former Women’s Leadership Chair, Michelle Williamson.
Strawberry Pie
INGREDIENTS:
Store bought pie crust
2 cups strawberries, crushed
1 cup sugar
3 tbs. cornstarch
DIRECTIONS:
Bake pie crust according to package directions, let it cool. Mix crushed strawberries, sugar and cornstarch in a medium saucepan and cook until thickened. Pour mixture into cooled pie crust and chill thoroughly. Serve with whipped cream.
