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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 10, 2018</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: 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>
  </font></font><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>
  </td>
  <td style="WIDTH: 33.33%; VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">
  <div style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; TEXT-ALIGN: center">(Commission File Number)</div>
  </td>
  <td style="WIDTH: 33.33%; VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle">
  <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="MARGIN-BOTTOM: 3pt; MARGIN-TOP: 3pt"><br>
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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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  <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 10, 2018, 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 2019. Additionally, the Company's stockholders ratified the advisory vote on executive compensation and ratified the selection of Crowe Horwath LLP as the Company's independent registered public accounting firm for the year ended December 31, 2018.</div>
  
  <div><br>
  </div>
  
  <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>
  
  <div><br>
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  <table id="z7a36c96fa937495e8b0077ed84249cf4" style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; WIDTH: 100%" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0">
  <tr>
  <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>
  </td>
  </tr>
  
  <tr>
  <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">
  <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>
  </td>
  <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>
  </td>
  </tr>
  
  <tr>
  <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>
  </td>
  </tr>
  
  <tr>
  <td style="WIDTH: 41.54%; VERTICAL-ALIGN: top">
  <div style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; TEXT-ALIGN: justify; TEXT-INDENT: 22.5pt">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">18,426,019</div>
  
  <div style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; TEXT-ALIGN: center">18,130,710</div>
  
  <div style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; TEXT-ALIGN: center">17,959,825</div>
  
  <div style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; TEXT-ALIGN: center">18,520,546</div>
  
  <div style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; TEXT-ALIGN: center">18,000,538</div>
  
  <div style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; TEXT-ALIGN: center">18,265,603</div>
  
  <div style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; TEXT-ALIGN: center">18,642,314</div>
  
  <div style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; TEXT-ALIGN: center">18,262,616</div>
  
  <div style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; TEXT-ALIGN: center">18,822,857</div>
  
  <div style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; TEXT-ALIGN: center">17,288,369</div>
  
  <div style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; TEXT-ALIGN: center">18,575,745</div>
  
  <div style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; TEXT-ALIGN: center">18,173,543</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">532,770</div>
  
  <div style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; TEXT-ALIGN: center; TEXT-INDENT: 3pt">828,695</div>
  
  <div style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; TEXT-ALIGN: center; TEXT-INDENT: 3pt">979,655</div>
  
  <div style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; TEXT-ALIGN: center; TEXT-INDENT: 3pt">435,275</div>
  
  <div style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; TEXT-ALIGN: center; TEXT-INDENT: 3pt">955,690</div>
  
  <div style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; TEXT-ALIGN: center; TEXT-INDENT: 3pt">691,623</div>
  
  <div style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; TEXT-ALIGN: center; TEXT-INDENT: 3pt">313,616</div>
  
  <div style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; TEXT-ALIGN: center; TEXT-INDENT: 3pt">685,158</div>
  
  <div style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; TEXT-ALIGN: center; TEXT-INDENT: 3pt">131,772</div>
  
  <div style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; TEXT-ALIGN: left; TEXT-INDENT: 3pt">&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160; &#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160; 1,666,417</div>
  
  <div style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; TEXT-ALIGN: center; TEXT-INDENT: 3pt">383,376</div>
  
  <div style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; TEXT-ALIGN: center; TEXT-INDENT: 3pt">780,722</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">40,195</div>
  
  <div style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; TEXT-ALIGN: center">39,579</div>
  
  <div style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; TEXT-ALIGN: center">59,504</div>
  
  <div style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; TEXT-ALIGN: center">43,163</div>
  
  <div style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; TEXT-ALIGN: center">42,756</div>
  
  <div style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; TEXT-ALIGN: center">41,758</div>
  
  <div style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; TEXT-ALIGN: center">43,054</div>
  
  <div style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; TEXT-ALIGN: center">51,210</div>
  
  <div style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; TEXT-ALIGN: center">44,355</div>
  
  <div style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; TEXT-ALIGN: center">44,198</div>
  
  <div style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; TEXT-ALIGN: center">39,863</div>
  
  <div style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; TEXT-ALIGN: center">44,719</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">3,196,752</div>
  
  <div style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; TEXT-ALIGN: center">3,196,752</div>
  
  <div style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; TEXT-ALIGN: center">3,196,752</div>
  
  <div style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; TEXT-ALIGN: center">3,196,752</div>
  
  <div style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; TEXT-ALIGN: center">3,196,752</div>
  
  <div style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; TEXT-ALIGN: center">3,196,752</div>
  
  <div style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; TEXT-ALIGN: center">3,196,752</div>
  
  <div style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; TEXT-ALIGN: center">3,196,752</div>
  
  <div style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; TEXT-ALIGN: center">3,196,752</div>
  
  <div style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; TEXT-ALIGN: center">3,196,752</div>
  
  <div style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; TEXT-ALIGN: center">3,196,752</div>
  
  <div style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; TEXT-ALIGN: center">3,196,752</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><br>
  </div>
  
  <div>
  <table id="z3b0780ace00a49d6b7e0f5fb9a40aea5" style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; WIDTH: 100%" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0">
  <tr>
  <td style="WIDTH: 70.18%; VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" colspan="6">
  <div style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; TEXT-ALIGN: left">Approval of Advisory Proposal on Executive Compensation:</div>
  </td>
  <td style="WIDTH: 8.54%; VERTICAL-ALIGN: top">&#160;</td>
  <td style="WIDTH: 21.28%; VERTICAL-ALIGN: top">&#160;</td>
  </tr>
  
  <tr>
  <td style="WIDTH: 11.64%; VERTICAL-ALIGN: top">&#160;</td>
  <td style="WIDTH: 18.2%; VERTICAL-ALIGN: top">&#160;</td>
  <td style="WIDTH: 8.54%; VERTICAL-ALIGN: top">&#160;</td>
  <td style="WIDTH: 11.64%; VERTICAL-ALIGN: top">&#160;</td>
  <td style="WIDTH: 8.53%; VERTICAL-ALIGN: top">&#160;</td>
  <td style="WIDTH: 11.64%; VERTICAL-ALIGN: top">&#160;</td>
  <td style="WIDTH: 8.54%; VERTICAL-ALIGN: top">&#160;</td>
  <td style="WIDTH: 21.28%; VERTICAL-ALIGN: top">&#160;</td>
  </tr>
  
  <tr>
  <td style="WIDTH: 11.64%; VERTICAL-ALIGN: top">&#160;</td>
  <td style="WIDTH: 18.2%; 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>
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  <td style="WIDTH: 8.54%; VERTICAL-ALIGN: top">&#160;</td>
  <td style="WIDTH: 11.64%; 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: 8.53%; VERTICAL-ALIGN: top">&#160;</td>
  <td style="WIDTH: 11.64%; 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: 8.54%; VERTICAL-ALIGN: top">&#160;</td>
  <td style="WIDTH: 21.28%; 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: 11.64%; VERTICAL-ALIGN: top">&#160;</td>
  <td style="WIDTH: 18.2%; VERTICAL-ALIGN: top">
  <div style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; TEXT-ALIGN: center">&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;18,285,393</div>
  </td>
  <td style="WIDTH: 8.54%; VERTICAL-ALIGN: top">&#160;</td>
  <td style="WIDTH: 11.64%; VERTICAL-ALIGN: top">
  <div style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; TEXT-ALIGN: center">&#160;&#160;448,091</div>
  </td>
  <td style="WIDTH: 8.53%; VERTICAL-ALIGN: top">&#160;</td>
  <td style="WIDTH: 11.64%; VERTICAL-ALIGN: top">
  <div style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; TEXT-ALIGN: center">&#160;&#160;265,500</div>
  </td>
  <td style="WIDTH: 8.54%; VERTICAL-ALIGN: top">&#160;</td>
  <td style="WIDTH: 21.28%; VERTICAL-ALIGN: top">
  <div style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; TEXT-ALIGN: center">&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;3,196,752</div>
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  <td style="WIDTH: 11.64%; VERTICAL-ALIGN: top">&#160;</td>
  <td style="WIDTH: 18.2%; VERTICAL-ALIGN: top">&#160;</td>
  <td style="WIDTH: 8.54%; VERTICAL-ALIGN: top">&#160;</td>
  <td style="WIDTH: 11.64%; VERTICAL-ALIGN: top">&#160;</td>
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  <td style="WIDTH: 11.64%; VERTICAL-ALIGN: top">&#160;</td>
  <td style="WIDTH: 8.54%; VERTICAL-ALIGN: top">&#160;</td>
  <td style="WIDTH: 21.28%; VERTICAL-ALIGN: top">&#160;</td>
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  <td style="WIDTH: 18.2%; VERTICAL-ALIGN: top">&#160;</td>
  <td style="WIDTH: 8.54%; VERTICAL-ALIGN: top">&#160;</td>
  <td style="WIDTH: 11.64%; VERTICAL-ALIGN: top">&#160;</td>
  <td style="WIDTH: 8.53%; VERTICAL-ALIGN: top">&#160;</td>
  <td style="WIDTH: 11.64%; VERTICAL-ALIGN: top">&#160;</td>
  <td style="WIDTH: 8.54%; VERTICAL-ALIGN: top">&#160;</td>
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  <div style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; TEXT-ALIGN: left">Ratification of Crowe Horwath LLP as Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm</div>
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  <td style="WIDTH: 8.54%; VERTICAL-ALIGN: top">&#160;</td>
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  <td style="WIDTH: 18.2%; 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>
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  <td style="WIDTH: 8.54%; VERTICAL-ALIGN: top">&#160;</td>
  <td style="WIDTH: 11.64%; 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>
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  <td style="WIDTH: 8.53%; VERTICAL-ALIGN: top">&#160;</td>
  <td style="WIDTH: 11.64%; 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: 8.54%; VERTICAL-ALIGN: top">&#160;</td>
  <td style="WIDTH: 21.28%; 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>
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  <td style="WIDTH: 18.2%; VERTICAL-ALIGN: top">
  <div style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; TEXT-ALIGN: center">&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;21,861,142</div>
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  <td style="WIDTH: 11.64%; VERTICAL-ALIGN: top">
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  </td>
  <td style="WIDTH: 8.53%; VERTICAL-ALIGN: top">&#160;</td>
  <td style="WIDTH: 11.64%; VERTICAL-ALIGN: top">
  <div style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; TEXT-ALIGN: center">&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;83,216</div>
  </td>
  <td style="WIDTH: 8.54%; VERTICAL-ALIGN: top">&#160;</td>
  <td style="WIDTH: 21.28%; VERTICAL-ALIGN: top">&#160;</td>
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  <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>
  
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  <div style="TEXT-ALIGN: left; MARGIN-TOP: 8pt"><font style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman', Times, serif">Dated:&#160; April 11, 2018</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&#160;</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; 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; 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; Chief Financial Officer</div>
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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 10, 2018
  ______________
  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 5.07 Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders
  On April 10, 2018, 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 2019. Additionally, the Company's stockholders ratified the advisory vote on executive compensation and ratified the selection of Crowe Horwath LLP as the Company's independent registered public accounting firm for the year ended December 31, 2018.
  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
  18,426,019
  18,130,710
  17,959,825
  18,520,546
  18,000,538
  18,265,603
  18,642,314
  18,262,616
  18,822,857
  17,288,369
  18,575,745
  18,173,543
  532,770
  828,695
  979,655
  435,275
  955,690
  691,623
  313,616
  685,158
  131,772
  1,666,417
  383,376
  780,722
  40,195
  39,579
  59,504
  43,163
  42,756
  41,758
  43,054
  51,210
  44,355
  44,198
  39,863
  44,719
  3,196,752
  3,196,752
  3,196,752
  3,196,752
  3,196,752
  3,196,752
  3,196,752
  3,196,752
  3,196,752
  3,196,752
  3,196,752
  3,196,752
  Approval of Advisory Proposal on Executive Compensation:
  For
  Against
  Abstain
  Broker Non-votes
  18,285,393
  448,091
  265,500
  3,196,752
  Ratification of Crowe Horwath LLP as Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
  For
  Against
  Abstain
  Broker Non-votes
  21,861,142
  251,378
  83,216
  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 11, 2018
  By: /s/Lisa M. O'Neill
  Lisa M. O'Neill
  Executive Vice President and
  Chief Financial Officer