Passionate About Florida's Land - Hillsborough County Farm Bureau

17_H 3/10/07 12:58 PM Page 1
Passionate About Florida’s Land
By Leslie Shepherd
Dennis Carlton wanted to be a cowboy for as long
as he can remember. As a young boy, he chose to
follow his second cousin, Doyle Carlton Jr.,
away from the comforts and privileges of city life in
Tampa, and into the woods, pastures and swamps of
rural Florida. It is here that Dennis Carlton found his
passion for the land.
Carlton is living his boyhood dream. But, at the age
of fifty-four, it is his passion for land that has made his
profession, both the personal and environmental success
that it is today. “I am trying to make the community a
better place, while also making a living,” Carlton says.
As a cattle rancher, citrus grower and real estate developer,
Carlton is in a position to make a difference, and
he does.
Carlton is a seventh generation Floridian in a family
that has profoundly impacted the Sunshine State for
more than a century. He is the son of prominent Tampa
surgeon, Dr. Leffie M. Carlton, and a 1970 graduate of
Jesuit High School. After attending Florida Southern
College, he made two very important decisions. First, he
married his college sweetheart, Alice, and then he established
his own business in Plant City, Mid-State Realty
Company. Carlton began acquiring land, much of which
he subdivided for resale.
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Throughout his career, Carlton has been
defined by wise decisions concerning both land
acquisitions and Florida’s environment. His
actions have given him the reputation of being
concerned with the outcome of the land
whether he is buying or selling. Of this concept,
Carlton explains, “Whenever a piece of land
comes into my care, I try to improve and
restore it as much as possible.” This commitment
is carried out in the partnership he and his
father established known as Carlton and
Carlton Ranch. Together, they own and lease
land in numerous counties throughout Florida.
Carlton’s diverse agricultural holdings include
more than seven hundred acres of citrus and an
average of 3,500 head of cattle.
Certainly, Carlton’s business dealings must
benefit him in order for him to stay involved in
land development. But his motivations reveal
much about this man and his passion. If 12,000
acres of Florida ranch land can be considered a
“summary,” then the Audubon Ranch best
summarizes the complex interests of Dennis
Carlton. The ranch is owned by Hillsborough
County and has been leased by Carlton for
more than ten years. On this property, he runs
between 2,000 and 2,400 head of cattle. Karen
Warren, the Operations Manager for the ranch,
admires her boss and the way in which he
exceeds expectations. “His philosophy
regarding land is more far reaching than just
18 INTHEFIELD MAGAZINE MARCH 2007
turning a buck,” she says. She points out that a
cattle operation could sustain itself without the
added financial investment that Carlton puts
into caring for the land. She also says,
“Whether it is protecting endangered species or
fighting invasive plants, he ultimately wants to
see Florida at its best.”
Carlton’s desire to preserve Florida’s natural
resources is to be admired. While some
environmentalists only speak out, Carlton is
hard at work making a difference. His strongly
held convictions, along with his agricultural
background, made him the perfect candidate
for the Hillsborough Soil and Water
Conservation District. He was first appointed
to fill a vacancy on the Board, and then later he
was encouraged to run for the position. He
now holds the elected position with four other
supervisors who oversee matters dealing with
soil conservation, water conservation and other
natural resource issues.
With so many irons in the fire, Carlton finds
that he is often inside more than he would like.
“It seems that my employees get to do what I
really enjoy, because I am in a meeting.” In
addition to his work in agriculture and land
development, Carlton is active in the community.
He is a member of the First Free Will Baptist
Church of Seffner and serves as a trustee. He is
on various boards including Valrico State Bank
and Central Florida Farm Credit. He is an
active member of the Hillsborough County
Farm Bureau and was named “Agriculturalist
of the Year” in 2004 by the Plant City Chamber
of Commerce.
Business and the environment are not the
only motivators behind Carlton’s activism. He
is moved for personal reasons, as well. As busy
as his schedule may be, he still finds time to be
with family, friends and his horses. Riding into
the woods or out on the open range several
times a week, he says, “Keeps me focused on
what is really important.” He and Alice have
raised three children and are now enjoying two
young grandchildren. Carlton’s son, Dennis Jr.,
will graduate this year from the University of
South Florida with a degree in finance, and join
Carlton and Carlton Ranch. Of his son and
future partner, Carlton says, “I believe that he
has more respect for the land than even I do.”
When Alderman Carlton, settled in Florida
in 1843, Florida was an untamed frontier full
of promise. Surely, he would be proud of the
wisdom and heart that his descendant, Dennis
Carlton, pours into preserving its natural
resources and beauty. A cowboy with a passion
for protecting the land, Carlton concludes, “I
have been blessed to do a lot of things, and
everything that I do seems to revert back to the
land.”