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Farm-City Luncheon 2023 in Martin County’s

Celebrates The Rich Heritage agricultural history.
It is not well-known
Of Martin County Agriculture that agriculture is one
of Martin County’s
Third, fourth and fifth generation farmers and key industries and
ranchers shared their knowledge of Martin County’s rich economic engines.
agricultural history and current challenges with a sold-out Panel members
crowd at the annual Farm-City Luncheon on Nov. 16 at included: LeeAnn
the Rockin’ H Ranch in Palm City. Adams Simmons
Since 2016, the nonprofit organization One Martin, in with Adams Ranch;
cooperation with the Martin County Farm Bureau, has brought Wyatt Carlton with Farm-City Luncheon panel members, left to right: Tom
together urban and rural residents of the county to celebrate the Spur Land & Cattle; Three generations of Hartmans Hurley, Ransom Reed Hartman, LeeAnn Adams Simmons,
important relationship between farmers, consumers, business Ransom Reed Hartman at the 2023 Farm-City Luncheon. John Legg, Adam Yingling, and Wyatt Carlton
and civic leaders, and everyone in between who contributes to with Hartman Real Pictured from left to right:
the community’s safe, abundant food supply. Estate; John Legg with Rick Hartman, Rick Hartman’s Crescent A Cattle Company. Facilitated by panel
This year’s program included a panel of younger, local Legg Cattle Company; grandson, Hunter, and Hunter’s moderator Tom Hurley, CEO, Becker Holding Corporation
farmers and ranchers whose families have deep roots Adam Yingling with dad, Ransom Reed Hartman and Becker Tree Farm and Nursery, the panelists shared
ClevelaNd CliNiC their family stories and discussed some of the biggest
challenges facing agriculture today.

All agreed that high costs for every aspect of agriculture,
from feed for cattle to the plastic that binds the hay, are threats
MartiN HealtH News to an operation that is “a price taker, not a price maker.” As
LeeAnn Adams explained, when prices at the supermarket
go up, the consumer assumes that farmers are making more
money. “That is simply not how it works,” Adams said.
Bariatric Surgery … Is It Question: How Do I Get Started? “There is a long production chain, and the original farmer

Answer: Interested patients
or rancher gets very little at the end of it.”
Right For You? should schedule a consultation in The cost of land, pressures to sell from developers to
order to determine which weight- the south of Martin County, high estate taxes when a farm
For people who need to lose loss plan is right for you. The next is passed on to the next generation, and the difficulty of
weight but have been unsuccessful step is to await clearance from sustaining the operations also have negative impacts on
with diet and exercise, bariatric their insurance company, as well preserving the family farm.
surgery can help. Federico Serrot, as approval from their primary care Finding the next generation of farmers and ranchers is also
M.D., FACS, FASMBS, medical physician and any specialists they an issue, according to the panelists. Wyatt Carlton said, “If you
director of bariatric and metabolic are seeing. Our team guides patients don’t grow up doing it, you’ll never be involved in ag. You
surgery at Cleveland Clinic Martin through all of the different steps Asadulla Chaudhary, won’t be able to make money, and you just won’t do it.”
Health, and Asadulla Chaudhary, required to successfully complete M.D. Public perception and lack of awareness were also cited
M.D., FACS, FASMBS, a bariatric the program. as a big concern. “People generally have no idea of what ag
surgeon who sees patients at the Question: What Is The Success Rate? requires,” John Legg said. Even those who realize that food
Cleveland Clinic Family Health Federico Serrot, M.D. Answer: Bariatric surgery has been proven to be the most comes from farms, not the grocery store, don’t appreciate
Center in Stuart, answer some effective way to lose weight and maintain weight loss compared what it takes to raise crops or livestock.
commonly asked questions about weight-loss surgery. to any other treatment. Studies show patients typically lose the Rick Hartman, president of One Martin, quotes Florida’s
Question: What Types Of Bariatric Surgery Are Available? most weight one to two years after bariatric surgery. Patients may Commissioner of Agriculture as warning that the United
Answer: At Cleveland Clinic Martin Health, we perform lose as much as 60 percent of excess weight six months after States has become a net food importer. This dependence on
several laparoscopic and robotic-assisted surgical procedures surgery and 77 percent of excess weight as early as 12 months foreign markets puts our national food security in danger,
including sleeve gastrectomy (gastric sleeve), gastric bypass and after surgery. On average, five years after surgery, patients and the trend is not positive.
duodenal switch. We also perform reoperative bariatric surgery. maintain 50 percent of their excess weight loss. The panel had ideas on what can and should be done to
Question: Who Is A Candidate For Surgery? Cleveland Clinic in Florida Martin Health is committed to preserve Florida and Martin County agriculture. “Buy local!”
Answer: You need to have a Body Mass Index (BMI) providing patients with a path to a healthier future. To schedule Adam Yingling advised. “Support Florida’s Rural and Family
over 40. People with a BMI of at least 35 and a weight-related a weight-loss surgery consultation, call (772) 223-2890 or visit Lands Program,” LeeAnn Adams said, “so we can put land
condition, such as diabetes, sleep apnea, high blood pressure or ClevelandClinicFlorida.org/Bariatric to learn more. into conservation and keep agricultural operations going.”
heart disease, are also eligible. All patients must be committed Reed Hartman added, “Know your source of information so
to following the permanent dietary changes that are required. you get the real facts about agriculture instead of myths, half-
truths, and downright misunderstanding of how ag works.”
Also during the luncheon, Martin County Farm Bureau
President Brittany Bearden recognized three Martin County
farmers who received the coveted 2023 This Farm CARES
(County Alliance for Responsible Environmental Stewardship)
Award: Wes Carlton, Nicole Kirchhoff, and Tom McCrudden.
They are the first farmers in Martin County in more than 10
years to be nominated and receive this award.
Sponsors for this year’s Farm-City Luncheon include
Ashley Capital, Becker, Three Lakes, Florida Power & Light,
Midbrook 1st Realty, Gunster Law Firm, Hartman Real
Estate, O-Rourke Engineering, RV Johnson & Auto-Owners
Insurance, Star Farms Corporation, Three Natives of Hobe
Sound, U.S. Sugar, Agri-Gators Inc., Camo Farms, Captec
Engineering, Family Lands Remembered, Farm Credit of
Florida, Haley Ward, Lucido & Associates, Market on Main,
Ralicki & Company, Shearwater Marine Florida, Team Parks,
Theresa and Richard Anderson, Water Point Realty Group,
and Wedgeworth Inc.
Farm-City Week is celebrated nationally each year during
the week leading up to Thanksgiving. Educational events
during this time celebrate and recognize the beneficial
partnerships between rural and urban communities that
make our food supply safe and plentiful. Across the state
of Florida, members of the agricultural community join
with local businesses and residents to learn more about the
importance and impact of agriculture on the economy, the
culture, and the future of the state and nation.