TRIBUTE TO BUD ADAMS — 1926-2017
20
Bud rides Big John, one of his favorite roping horse, in the early 1980s. The
horse was so wild Bud hired trainer Raymond Tiller to break him. Tiller spent
a year at the job and claimed he had once roped a deer with the horse.
ning and preparation is not in years — it is in generations.”
Adams’ vision was to retain the best elements of Old
Florida in ways that adapt to change without destroying the
natural order of things. The story of Bud Adams is the story
of a man who taught us the virtues of forming an alliance
with nature, and he practiced what he preached. He never
tired of sharing the beauty of Adams Ranch with visitors.
SPREAD THE WORD
As a contemporary and friend of A.E. “Beanie” Backus,
Adams shared the artist’s vision of the sterling beauty of
Florida in its natural condition. Community organizations
frequently took bus tours to enjoy the enchantment of his
thousands of acres, and to hear him speak. He gave countless
interviews and speeches. He always made time to patiently
discuss the urgency for conservation.
Even as his years were drawing to a close, he was still saying:
“At my age, I am concerned about how the land will look
50 to 100 years from now.”
Adams was a steward of the earth. He was the quintessential
old-time Floridian, but he was inspired by a remarkable
future-oriented vision. It was the quiet-spoken work of his
life to teach that through a combination of rational engineering,
aesthetics and sustainable agricultural techniques we can
preserve a world that works for all.
“I have been given everything — much more than I ever
desired,’’ he said in a note to friends and family. “I have
loved my family and friends. I have enjoyed my cows, horses
and dogs. I have lived on the most beautiful land, in a good
climate, in a favored state that is a part of the greatest and
freest nation on earth. I have no regrets.’’
ROBERT ADAMS
Movie stars, politicians,
athletes and
Supreme Court justices
descended on Adams
Ranch to visit with Bud
over the years. At top,
Bud with actor Robert
Duvall. Middle, Bud
and primatologist Jane
Goodall. Bottom, Bud
after a turkey shoot with
Gov. Lawton Chiles.
Former U.S. Chief Justice
Warren Burger and
Justice Antonin Scalia
also visited the ranch.