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  <div style="FONT-SIZE: 18pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; FONT-WEIGHT: bold; TEXT-ALIGN: center">UNITED STATES</div>
  
  <div style="FONT-SIZE: 18pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; FONT-WEIGHT: bold; TEXT-ALIGN: center">SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION</div>
  
  <div style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; FONT-WEIGHT: bold; TEXT-ALIGN: center">WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549</div>
  
  <div style="MARGIN-BOTTOM: 3pt; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; FONT-WEIGHT: bold; TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN-TOP: 3pt">______________</div>
  
  <div style="FONT-SIZE: 18pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; FONT-WEIGHT: bold; TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN-TOP: 12pt">FORM 8-K</div>
  
  <div style="MARGIN-BOTTOM: 3pt; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; FONT-WEIGHT: bold; TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN-TOP: 3pt">______________</div>
  
  <div style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; FONT-WEIGHT: bold; TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN-TOP: 12pt">CURRENT REPORT</div>
  
  <div style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; FONT-WEIGHT: bold; TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN-TOP: 16pt"><font style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman', Times, serif">Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) o</font>f <font style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman', Times, serif">the</font></div>
  
  <div style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; FONT-WEIGHT: bold; TEXT-ALIGN: center">Securities Exchange Act of 1934</div>
  
  <div style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; FONT-WEIGHT: bold; TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN-TOP: 10pt">Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported) April 11, 2017</div>
  
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  <div style="FONT-SIZE: 24pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman Bold', 'Times New Roman', serif; FONT-WEIGHT: bold; TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN-TOP: 8pt">Lakeland Financial Corporation</div>
  
  <div style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; FONT-WEIGHT: bold; TEXT-ALIGN: center">(Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)</div>
  
  <div style="MARGIN-BOTTOM: 3pt; TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN-TOP: 3pt"><font style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; FONT-WEIGHT: bold"><font style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman', Times, serif">______________</font><font style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman', Times, serif"><br>
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  <div style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; FONT-WEIGHT: bold; TEXT-ALIGN: center">Indiana</div>
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  <div style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; FONT-WEIGHT: bold; TEXT-ALIGN: center">0-11487</div>
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  <div style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; FONT-WEIGHT: bold; TEXT-ALIGN: center">35-1559596</div>
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  <div style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; TEXT-ALIGN: center">(State or other jurisdiction</div>
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  <div style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; TEXT-ALIGN: center">(Commission File Number)</div>
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  <div style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; TEXT-ALIGN: center">(IRS Employer</div>
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  <div style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; TEXT-ALIGN: center">Of incorporation)</div>
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  <td style="WIDTH: 33.33%; VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">&#160;</td>
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  <div style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; TEXT-ALIGN: center">Identification No.)</div>
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  <div style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; FONT-WEIGHT: bold; TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN-TOP: 12pt"><font style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman', Times, serif">202 East Center Street, P.O. Box 1387, Warsaw, Indiana 46581-1387</font><font style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman', Times, serif"><br>
  </font> (Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)</div>
  
  <div style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; FONT-WEIGHT: bold; TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN-TOP: 12pt"><font style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman', Times, serif">(574) 267-6144</font><font style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman', Times, serif"><br>
  </font> (Registrant's telephone number, including area code)</div>
  
  <div style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; FONT-WEIGHT: bold; TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN-TOP: 16pt">Not Applicable</div>
  
  <div style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; FONT-WEIGHT: bold; TEXT-ALIGN: center">(Former name or former address, if changed since last report)</div>
  
  <div style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; TEXT-ALIGN: left; MARGIN-TOP: 8pt">Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:</div>
  
  <div style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; TEXT-ALIGN: left; MARGIN-LEFT: 36pt; MARGIN-TOP: 8pt; TEXT-INDENT: -36pt">[&#160; ]&#160; Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)</div>
  
  <div style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; TEXT-ALIGN: left; MARGIN-LEFT: 36pt; MARGIN-TOP: 8pt; TEXT-INDENT: -36pt">[&#160; ]&#160; Solicitation material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)</div>
  
  <div style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; TEXT-ALIGN: left; MARGIN-LEFT: 36pt; MARGIN-TOP: 8pt; TEXT-INDENT: -36pt">[&#160; ]&#160; Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR&#160; 240.14d-2(b)</div>
  
  <div style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; TEXT-ALIGN: left; MARGIN-LEFT: 36pt; MARGIN-TOP: 8pt; TEXT-INDENT: -36pt">[&#160; ]&#160; Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c)</div>
  
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  <td style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; WIDTH: 54pt; VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; FONT-WEIGHT: bold; align: right">Item 5.02</td>
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  <div style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; FONT-WEIGHT: bold">Departure of Directors or Certain Officers; Election of Directors; Appointment of Certain Officers; Compensatory Arrangements of Certain Officers.</div>
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  <div style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; FONT-STYLE: italic; TEXT-ALIGN: left">Lakeland Financial Corporation 2017 Equity Incentive Plan</div>
  
  <div style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; TEXT-ALIGN: left">At the 2017 Annual Meeting of Shareholders (the "Annual Meeting") of Lakeland Financial Corporation (the "Company") held on April 11, 2017, the Company's shareholders approved the 2017 Equity Incentive Plan (the ("2017 EIP").&#160; The 2017 EIP was adopted by the Company's Board of Directors on January 10, 2017, subject to shareholder approval at the Annual Meeting, to promote the Company's long term financial success, to attract, retain and reward persons who can contribute to the Company's success, and to further align the participants' interest with those of the Company's shareholders.&#160; The 2017 EIP will be administered by the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors, which will select award recipients from the eligible participants, determine the types of awards to be granted, and determine the applicable terms, conditions, performance criteria, restrictions and other provisions of such awards, including any vesting or accelerated vesting requirements or conditions applicable to an award or awards.</div>
  
  <div style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; TEXT-ALIGN: left">The 2017 EIP incorporates a broad variety of cash-based and equity-based incentive compensation elements to provide the Compensation Committee with significant flexibility to appropriately address the requirements and limitations of recently applicable legal, regulatory and financial accounting standards in a manner mutually consistent with the purposes of the 2017 EIP and shareholder interests.</div>
  
  <div style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; TEXT-ALIGN: left">Subject to permitted adjustments for certain corporate transactions, the maximum number of shares that may be delivered to participants, or their beneficiaries, under the 2017 EIP is 1,000,000 shares of the Company's common stock.</div>
  
  <div style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; TEXT-ALIGN: left">The foregoing description of the 2017 EIP is qualified in its entirety by the text of the 2017 EIP, which is filed as Exhibit 4.4 to the Company's Registration Statement on Form S-8, filed with the SEC on April 12, 2017, and which is incorporated herein by reference.</div>
  
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  <div style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; FONT-WEIGHT: bold; TEXT-ALIGN: justify">Item 5.07 Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders</div>
  
  <div><br>
  </div>
  
  <div style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; TEXT-ALIGN: justify">On April 11, 2017, the Company's annual meeting of stockholders was held. At the meeting, the stockholders elected Blake W. Augsburger, Robert E. Bartels, Jr., Daniel F. Evans, Jr., David M. Findlay, Thomas A. Hiatt, Michael L. Kubacki, Emily E. Pichon, Steven D. Ross, Brian J. Smith, Bradley J. Toothaker, Ronald D. Truex and M. Scott Welch, each with terms expiring in 2018. The Company's stockholders also approved the 2017 Equity Incentive Plan.&#160; Additionally, the Company's shareholders ratified the selection of Crowe Horwath LLP as the Company's independent registered public accounting firm for the year ended December 31, 2017, ratified the advisory vote on executive compensation and ratified the frequency of the vote on executive compensation.</div>
  
  <div><br>
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  <div style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; TEXT-ALIGN: justify">The final results of voting on each of the matters submitted to a vote of security holders during the annual meeting are as follows:</div>
  
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  <table id="z7e67808cd384418087806495414e47db" style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; WIDTH: 100%" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0">
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  <td style="WIDTH: 100%; VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" colspan="5">
  <div style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; TEXT-ALIGN: left">Election of Directors:</div>
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  <div style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; TEXT-ALIGN: justify">&#160;</div>
  </td>
  <td style="WIDTH: 15.21%; VERTICAL-ALIGN: top">
  <div style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; TEXT-ALIGN: justify">&#160;</div>
  </td>
  <td style="WIDTH: 14.42%; VERTICAL-ALIGN: top">
  <div style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; TEXT-ALIGN: justify">&#160;</div>
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  <td style="WIDTH: 13.6%; VERTICAL-ALIGN: top">
  <div style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; TEXT-ALIGN: justify">&#160;</div>
  </td>
  <td style="WIDTH: 15.22%; VERTICAL-ALIGN: top">
  <div style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; TEXT-ALIGN: center">Broker</div>
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  <td style="WIDTH: 41.54%; VERTICAL-ALIGN: top">
  <div style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; TEXT-ALIGN: justify">&#160;</div>
  </td>
  <td style="WIDTH: 15.21%; VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; BORDER-BOTTOM: black 2px solid">
  <div style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; TEXT-ALIGN: center">For</div>
  </td>
  <td style="WIDTH: 14.42%; VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; BORDER-BOTTOM: black 2px solid">
  <div style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; TEXT-ALIGN: center">Against</div>
  </td>
  <td style="WIDTH: 13.6%; VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; BORDER-BOTTOM: black 2px solid">
  <div style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; TEXT-ALIGN: center">Abstain</div>
  </td>
  <td style="WIDTH: 15.22%; VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; BORDER-BOTTOM: black 2px solid">
  <div style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; TEXT-ALIGN: center">Non-votes</div>
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  <td style="WIDTH: 41.54%; VERTICAL-ALIGN: top">
  <div style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; TEXT-ALIGN: justify">Blake W. Augsburger</div>
  
  <div style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; TEXT-ALIGN: justify">Robert E. Bartels, Jr.</div>
  
  <div style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; TEXT-ALIGN: justify">Daniel F. Evans, Jr.</div>
  
  <div style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; TEXT-ALIGN: justify">David M. Findlay</div>
  
  <div style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; TEXT-ALIGN: justify">Thomas A. Hiatt</div>
  
  <div style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; TEXT-ALIGN: justify">Michael L. Kubacki</div>
  
  <div style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; TEXT-ALIGN: justify">Emily E. Pichon</div>
  
  <div style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; TEXT-ALIGN: justify">Steven D. Ross</div>
  
  <div style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; TEXT-ALIGN: justify">Brian J. Smith</div>
  
  <div style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; TEXT-ALIGN: justify">Bradley J. Toothaker</div>
  
  <div style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; TEXT-ALIGN: justify">Ronald D. Truex</div>
  
  <div style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; TEXT-ALIGN: justify">M. Scott Welch</div>
  </td>
  <td style="WIDTH: 15.21%; VERTICAL-ALIGN: top">
  <div style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; TEXT-ALIGN: center">18,050,478</div>
  
  <div style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; TEXT-ALIGN: center">17,793,057</div>
  
  <div style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; TEXT-ALIGN: center">18,007,357</div>
  
  <div style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; TEXT-ALIGN: center">18,173,737</div>
  
  <div style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; TEXT-ALIGN: center">17,767,269</div>
  
  <div style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; TEXT-ALIGN: center">17,923,543</div>
  
  <div style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; TEXT-ALIGN: center">18,152,744</div>
  
  <div style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; TEXT-ALIGN: center">18,153,005</div>
  
  <div style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; TEXT-ALIGN: center">18,418,355</div>
  
  <div style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; TEXT-ALIGN: center">16,957,904</div>
  
  <div style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; TEXT-ALIGN: center">18,345,705</div>
  
  <div style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; TEXT-ALIGN: center">17,915,709</div>
  
  <div>&#160;</div>
  </td>
  <td style="WIDTH: 14.42%; VERTICAL-ALIGN: top">
  <div style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; TEXT-ALIGN: center; TEXT-INDENT: 3pt">504,628</div>
  
  <div style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; TEXT-ALIGN: center; TEXT-INDENT: 3pt">752,424</div>
  
  <div style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; TEXT-ALIGN: center; TEXT-INDENT: 3pt">513,915</div>
  
  <div style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; TEXT-ALIGN: center; TEXT-INDENT: 3pt">391,132</div>
  
  <div style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; TEXT-ALIGN: center; TEXT-INDENT: 3pt">766,796</div>
  
  <div style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; TEXT-ALIGN: center; TEXT-INDENT: 3pt">641,266</div>
  
  <div style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; TEXT-ALIGN: center; TEXT-INDENT: 3pt">407,220</div>
  
  <div style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; TEXT-ALIGN: center; TEXT-INDENT: 3pt">395,453</div>
  
  <div style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; TEXT-ALIGN: center; TEXT-INDENT: 3pt">133,293</div>
  
  <div style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; TEXT-ALIGN: center; TEXT-INDENT: 3pt">1,569,284</div>
  
  <div style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; TEXT-ALIGN: center; TEXT-INDENT: 3pt">136,361</div>
  
  <div style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; TEXT-ALIGN: center; TEXT-INDENT: 3pt">614,645</div>
  </td>
  <td style="WIDTH: 13.6%; VERTICAL-ALIGN: top">
  <div style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; TEXT-ALIGN: center">33,050</div>
  
  <div style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; TEXT-ALIGN: center">42,675</div>
  
  <div style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; TEXT-ALIGN: center">66,884</div>
  
  <div style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; TEXT-ALIGN: center">23,287</div>
  
  <div style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; TEXT-ALIGN: center">54,091</div>
  
  <div style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; TEXT-ALIGN: center">23,347</div>
  
  <div style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; TEXT-ALIGN: center">28,192</div>
  
  <div style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; TEXT-ALIGN: center">39,698</div>
  
  <div style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; TEXT-ALIGN: center">36,508</div>
  
  <div style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; TEXT-ALIGN: center">60,968</div>
  
  <div style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; TEXT-ALIGN: center">106,090</div>
  
  <div style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; TEXT-ALIGN: center">57,802</div>
  
  <div>&#160;</div>
  </td>
  <td style="WIDTH: 15.22%; VERTICAL-ALIGN: top">
  <div style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; TEXT-ALIGN: center">3,477,446</div>
  
  <div style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; TEXT-ALIGN: center">3,477,446</div>
  
  <div style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; TEXT-ALIGN: center">3,477,446</div>
  
  <div style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; TEXT-ALIGN: center">3,477,446</div>
  
  <div style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; TEXT-ALIGN: center">3,477,446</div>
  
  <div style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; TEXT-ALIGN: center">3,477,446</div>
  
  <div style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; TEXT-ALIGN: center">3,477,446</div>
  
  <div style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; TEXT-ALIGN: center">3,477,446</div>
  
  <div style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; TEXT-ALIGN: center">3,477,446</div>
  
  <div style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; TEXT-ALIGN: center">3,477,446</div>
  
  <div style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; TEXT-ALIGN: center">3,477,446</div>
  
  <div style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; TEXT-ALIGN: center">3,477,446</div>
  
  <div>&#160;</div>
  </td>
  </tr>
  </table>
  
  <div style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; TEXT-ALIGN: left">&#160;</div>
  
  <div style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; TEXT-ALIGN: left; MARGIN-LEFT: 36pt">2017 Equity Incentive Plan:</div>
  
  <div><br>
  </div>
  
  <table id="z852d325bc55e4336b2848dd8c90a7520" style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; WIDTH: 100%" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0">
  <tr>
  <td style="WIDTH: 26.39%; VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; BORDER-BOTTOM: black 2px solid">
  <div style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; TEXT-ALIGN: center">For</div>
  </td>
  <td style="WIDTH: 24.55%; VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; BORDER-BOTTOM: black 2px solid">
  <div style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; TEXT-ALIGN: center">Against</div>
  </td>
  <td style="WIDTH: 23.23%; VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; BORDER-BOTTOM: black 2px solid">
  <div style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; TEXT-ALIGN: center">Abstain</div>
  </td>
  <td style="WIDTH: 25.84%; VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; BORDER-BOTTOM: black 2px solid">
  <div style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; TEXT-ALIGN: center">Broker Non-votes</div>
  </td>
  </tr>
  
  <tr>
  <td style="WIDTH: 26.39%; VERTICAL-ALIGN: top">
  <div style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; TEXT-ALIGN: center">17,959,453</div>
  </td>
  <td style="WIDTH: 24.55%; VERTICAL-ALIGN: top">
  <div style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; TEXT-ALIGN: center; TEXT-INDENT: 3pt">538,997</div>
  </td>
  <td style="WIDTH: 23.23%; VERTICAL-ALIGN: top">
  <div style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; TEXT-ALIGN: center">89,706</div>
  </td>
  <td style="WIDTH: 25.84%; VERTICAL-ALIGN: top">
  <div style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; TEXT-ALIGN: center">3,477,446</div>
  
  <div>&#160;</div>
  </td>
  </tr>
  </table>
  
  <div><br>
  </div>
  
  <div style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; TEXT-ALIGN: left; MARGIN-LEFT: 36pt">Ratification&#160;of&#160;Crowe Horwath LLP as Independent&#160;Registered&#160;Public&#160;Accounting&#160;Firm:</div>
  
  <div><br>
  </div>
  
  <table id="z36686d3050c044879b6d9523fcb32d01" style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; WIDTH: 100%" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0">
  <tr>
  <td style="WIDTH: 26.39%; VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; BORDER-BOTTOM: black 2px solid">
  <div style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; TEXT-ALIGN: center">For</div>
  </td>
  <td style="WIDTH: 24.55%; VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; BORDER-BOTTOM: black 2px solid">
  <div style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; TEXT-ALIGN: center">Against</div>
  </td>
  <td style="WIDTH: 23.23%; VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; BORDER-BOTTOM: black 2px solid">
  <div style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; TEXT-ALIGN: center">Abstain</div>
  </td>
  <td style="WIDTH: 25.84%; VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; BORDER-BOTTOM: black 2px solid">
  <div style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; TEXT-ALIGN: center">Broker Non-votes</div>
  </td>
  </tr>
  
  <tr>
  <td style="WIDTH: 26.39%; VERTICAL-ALIGN: top">
  <div style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; TEXT-ALIGN: center">21,573,541</div>
  </td>
  <td style="WIDTH: 24.55%; VERTICAL-ALIGN: top">
  <div style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; TEXT-ALIGN: center; TEXT-INDENT: 3pt">412,852</div>
  </td>
  <td style="WIDTH: 23.23%; VERTICAL-ALIGN: top">
  <div style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; TEXT-ALIGN: center">79,125</div>
  </td>
  <td style="WIDTH: 25.84%; VERTICAL-ALIGN: top">&#160;</td>
  </tr>
  </table>
  
  <div><br>
  </div>
  
  <div style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; TEXT-ALIGN: left; MARGIN-LEFT: 36pt">Approval of Advisory Proposal on Executive Compensation:</div>
  
  <div><br>
  </div>
  
  <table id="zf0a51348a82e4e9d8a7438317ad8abab" style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; WIDTH: 100%" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0">
  <tr>
  <td style="WIDTH: 26.39%; VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; BORDER-BOTTOM: black 2px solid">
  <div style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; TEXT-ALIGN: center">For</div>
  </td>
  <td style="WIDTH: 24.55%; VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; BORDER-BOTTOM: black 2px solid">
  <div style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; TEXT-ALIGN: center">Against</div>
  </td>
  <td style="WIDTH: 23.23%; VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; BORDER-BOTTOM: black 2px solid">
  <div style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; TEXT-ALIGN: center">Abstain</div>
  </td>
  <td style="WIDTH: 25.84%; VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; BORDER-BOTTOM: black 2px solid">
  <div style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; TEXT-ALIGN: center">Broker Non-votes</div>
  </td>
  </tr>
  
  <tr>
  <td style="WIDTH: 26.39%; VERTICAL-ALIGN: top">
  <div style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; TEXT-ALIGN: center">18,004,370</div>
  </td>
  <td style="WIDTH: 24.55%; VERTICAL-ALIGN: top">
  <div style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; TEXT-ALIGN: center; TEXT-INDENT: 3pt">387,278</div>
  </td>
  <td style="WIDTH: 23.23%; VERTICAL-ALIGN: top">
  <div style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; TEXT-ALIGN: center">196,508</div>
  </td>
  <td style="WIDTH: 25.84%; VERTICAL-ALIGN: top">
  <div style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; TEXT-ALIGN: center">3,477,446</div>
  
  <div>&#160;</div>
  </td>
  </tr>
  </table>
  
  <div><br>
  </div>
  
  <div style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; TEXT-ALIGN: left; MARGIN-LEFT: 36pt">Approval of Advisory Proposal on Frequency of Vote on Executive Compensation:</div>
  
  <div><br>
  </div>
  
  <table id="zca9daeb5854a4a6d9a2a6cc8ffccf6f3" style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; WIDTH: 100%" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0">
  <tr>
  <td style="WIDTH: 26.39%; VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; BORDER-BOTTOM: black 2px solid">
  <div style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; TEXT-ALIGN: center">1 Year</div>
  </td>
  <td style="WIDTH: 24.55%; VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; BORDER-BOTTOM: black 2px solid">
  <div style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; TEXT-ALIGN: center">2 Year</div>
  </td>
  <td style="WIDTH: 23.23%; VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; BORDER-BOTTOM: black 2px solid">
  <div style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; TEXT-ALIGN: center">3 Year</div>
  </td>
  <td style="WIDTH: 25.84%; VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; BORDER-BOTTOM: black 2px solid">
  <div style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; TEXT-ALIGN: center">Abstain</div>
  </td>
  </tr>
  
  <tr>
  <td style="WIDTH: 26.39%; VERTICAL-ALIGN: top">
  <div style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; TEXT-ALIGN: center">15,979,636</div>
  </td>
  <td style="WIDTH: 24.55%; VERTICAL-ALIGN: top">
  <div style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; TEXT-ALIGN: center; TEXT-INDENT: 3pt">38,502</div>
  </td>
  <td style="WIDTH: 23.23%; VERTICAL-ALIGN: top">
  <div style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; TEXT-ALIGN: center">2,471,101</div>
  </td>
  <td style="WIDTH: 25.84%; VERTICAL-ALIGN: top">
  <div style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; TEXT-ALIGN: center">98,917</div>
  
  <div>&#160;</div>
  </td>
  </tr>
  </table>
  
  <div><br>
  </div>
  
  <div><br>
  </div>
  
  <div id="DSPFPageBreakArea" style="MARGIN-BOTTOM: 10pt; CLEAR: both; MARGIN-TOP: 10pt">
  <div id="DSPFPageBreak" style="PAGE-BREAK-AFTER: always">
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  </div>
  </div>
  
  <div><br>
  </div>
  
  <div style="MARGIN-TOP: 8pt"><br>
  </div>
  
  <div style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; FONT-WEIGHT: bold; TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN-TOP: 16pt">SIGNATURES</div>
  
  <div style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; TEXT-ALIGN: left; MARGIN-TOP: 8pt; TEXT-INDENT: 36pt">Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.</div>
  
  <div style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; FONT-WEIGHT: bold; TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN-TOP: 16pt">LAKELAND FINANCIAL CORPORATION</div>
  
  <div style="MARGIN-TOP: 16pt"><br>
  </div>
  
  <div style="TEXT-ALIGN: left; MARGIN-TOP: 8pt"><font style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman', Times, serif">Dated:&#160; April 13, 2017</font><font id="TRGRRTFtoHTMLTab" style="FONT-SIZE: 1px; WIDTH: 215.05pt; DISPLAY: inline-block">&#160;</font><font style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman', Times, serif">By:&#160; /s/Lisa M. O'Neill</font></div>
  
  <div style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; TEXT-ALIGN: left; MARGIN-TOP: 8pt; TEXT-INDENT: 252pt">&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160; Lisa M. O'Neill</div>
  
  <div style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; TEXT-ALIGN: left; TEXT-INDENT: 252pt">&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160; Executive Vice President and</div>
  
  <div style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; TEXT-ALIGN: left; TEXT-INDENT: 252pt">&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;Chief Financial Officer</div>
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metadata_filer: {"company-data": {"conformed-name": "LAKELAND FINANCIAL CORP", "cik": "0000721994", "assigned-sic": "6022", "irs-number": "351559596", "state-of-incorporation": "IN", "fiscal-year-end": "1231"}, "filing-values": {"form-type": "8-K", "act": "34", "file-number": "000-11487", "film-number": "17759419"}, "business-address": {"street1": "202 E CENTER ST", "street2": "P O BOX 1387", "city": "WARSAW", "state": "IN", "zip": "46581-1387", "phone": "5742676144"}, "mail-address": {"street1": "202 E CENTER ST", "street2": "PO BOX 1387", "city": "WARSAW", "state": "IN", "zip": "46581"}}
text: UNITED STATES
  SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
  WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
  ______________
  FORM 8-K
  ______________
  CURRENT REPORT
  Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) o
  f
  the
  Securities Exchange Act of 1934
  Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported) April 11, 2017
  ______________
  Lakeland Financial Corporation
  (Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)
  ______________
  Indiana
  0-11487
  35-1559596
  (State or other jurisdiction
  (Commission File Number)
  (IRS Employer
  Of incorporation)
  Identification No.)
  202 East Center Street, P.O. Box 1387, Warsaw, Indiana 46581-1387
  (Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)
  (574) 267-6144
  (Registrant's telephone number, including area code)
  Not Applicable
  (Former name or former address, if changed since last report)
  Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:
  [  ]  Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)
  [  ]  Solicitation material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)
  [  ]  Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR  240.14d-2(b)
  [  ]  Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c)
  Item 5.02
  Departure of Directors or Certain Officers; Election of Directors; Appointment of Certain Officers; Compensatory Arrangements of Certain Officers.
  Lakeland Financial Corporation 2017 Equity Incentive Plan
  At the 2017 Annual Meeting of Shareholders (the "Annual Meeting") of Lakeland Financial Corporation (the "Company") held on April 11, 2017, the Company's shareholders approved the 2017 Equity Incentive Plan (the ("2017 EIP").  The 2017 EIP was adopted by the Company's Board of Directors on January 10, 2017, subject to shareholder approval at the Annual Meeting, to promote the Company's long term financial success, to attract, retain and reward persons who can contribute to the Company's success, and to further align the participants' interest with those of the Company's shareholders.  The 2017 EIP will be administered by the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors, which will select award recipients from the eligible participants, determine the types of awards to be granted, and determine the applicable terms, conditions, performance criteria, restrictions and other provisions of such awards, including any vesting or accelerated vesting requirements or conditions applicable to an award or awards.
  The 2017 EIP incorporates a broad variety of cash-based and equity-based incentive compensation elements to provide the Compensation Committee with significant flexibility to appropriately address the requirements and limitations of recently applicable legal, regulatory and financial accounting standards in a manner mutually consistent with the purposes of the 2017 EIP and shareholder interests.
  Subject to permitted adjustments for certain corporate transactions, the maximum number of shares that may be delivered to participants, or their beneficiaries, under the 2017 EIP is 1,000,000 shares of the Company's common stock.
  The foregoing description of the 2017 EIP is qualified in its entirety by the text of the 2017 EIP, which is filed as Exhibit 4.4 to the Company's Registration Statement on Form S-8, filed with the SEC on April 12, 2017, and which is incorporated herein by reference.
  Item 5.07 Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders
  On April 11, 2017, the Company's annual meeting of stockholders was held. At the meeting, the stockholders elected Blake W. Augsburger, Robert E. Bartels, Jr., Daniel F. Evans, Jr., David M. Findlay, Thomas A. Hiatt, Michael L. Kubacki, Emily E. Pichon, Steven D. Ross, Brian J. Smith, Bradley J. Toothaker, Ronald D. Truex and M. Scott Welch, each with terms expiring in 2018. The Company's stockholders also approved the 2017 Equity Incentive Plan.  Additionally, the Company's shareholders ratified the selection of Crowe Horwath LLP as the Company's independent registered public accounting firm for the year ended December 31, 2017, ratified the advisory vote on executive compensation and ratified the frequency of the vote on executive compensation.
  The final results of voting on each of the matters submitted to a vote of security holders during the annual meeting are as follows:
  Election of Directors:
  Broker
  For
  Against
  Abstain
  Non-votes
  Blake W. Augsburger
  Robert E. Bartels, Jr.
  Daniel F. Evans, Jr.
  David M. Findlay
  Thomas A. Hiatt
  Michael L. Kubacki
  Emily E. Pichon
  Steven D. Ross
  Brian J. Smith
  Bradley J. Toothaker
  Ronald D. Truex
  M. Scott Welch
  18,050,478
  17,793,057
  18,007,357
  18,173,737
  17,767,269
  17,923,543
  18,152,744
  18,153,005
  18,418,355
  16,957,904
  18,345,705
  17,915,709
  504,628
  752,424
  513,915
  391,132
  766,796
  641,266
  407,220
  395,453
  133,293
  1,569,284
  136,361
  614,645
  33,050
  42,675
  66,884
  23,287
  54,091
  23,347
  28,192
  39,698
  36,508
  60,968
  106,090
  57,802
  3,477,446
  3,477,446
  3,477,446
  3,477,446
  3,477,446
  3,477,446
  3,477,446
  3,477,446
  3,477,446
  3,477,446
  3,477,446
  3,477,446
  2017 Equity Incentive Plan:
  For
  Against
  Abstain
  Broker Non-votes
  17,959,453
  538,997
  89,706
  3,477,446
  Ratification of Crowe Horwath LLP as Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm:
  For
  Against
  Abstain
  Broker Non-votes
  21,573,541
  412,852
  79,125
  Approval of Advisory Proposal on Executive Compensation:
  For
  Against
  Abstain
  Broker Non-votes
  18,004,370
  387,278
  196,508
  3,477,446
  Approval of Advisory Proposal on Frequency of Vote on Executive Compensation:
  1 Year
  2 Year
  3 Year
  Abstain
  15,979,636
  38,502
  2,471,101
  98,917
  SIGNATURES
  Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.
  LAKELAND FINANCIAL CORPORATION
  Dated:  April 13, 2017
  By:  /s/Lisa M. O'Neill
  Lisa M. O'Neill
  Executive Vice President and
  Chief Financial Officer