Page 16 - Stuart Exposure - January '24

Page 16, Stuart Exposure

spOtligHt

Farm-City Luncheon 2023

Celebrates The Rich Heritage
Of Martin County Agriculture

Third, fourth and fifth generation farmers and ranchers
shared their knowledge of Martin County’s rich agricultural
history and current challenges with a sold-out crowd at the
annual Farm-City Luncheon on Nov. 16 at the Rockin’ H
Ranch in Palm City.
Since 2016, the nonprofit organization One Martin, in
cooperation with the Martin County Farm Bureau, has brought
together urban and rural residents of the county to celebrate the Three generations of Hartmans at the
important relationship between farmers, consumers, business 2023 Farm-City Luncheon. Pictured
and civic leaders, and everyone in between who contributes from left to right: Rick Hartman, Rick
to the community’s safe, abundant food supply. Hartman’s grandson, Hunter, and Farm-City Luncheon panel members, left to right: Tom Hurley, Ransom Reed
This year’s program included a panel of younger, local Hunter’s dad, Ransom Reed Hartman Hartman, LeeAnn Adams Simmons, John Legg, Adam Yingling, and Wyatt Carlton
farmers and ranchers whose families have deep roots in
Martin County’s agricultural history. It is not well-known Finding the next generation of farmers and ranchers is also farmers who received the coveted 2023 This Farm CARES
that agriculture is one of Martin County’s key industries and an issue, according to the panelists. Wyatt Carlton said, “If you (County Alliance for Responsible Environmental Stewardship)
economic engines. don’t grow up doing it, you’ll never be involved in ag. You Award: Wes Carlton, Nicole Kirchhoff, and Tom McCrudden.
Panel members included: LeeAnn Adams Simmons with won’t be able to make money, and you just won’t do it.” They are the first farmers in Martin County in more than 10
Adams Ranch; Wyatt Carlton with Spur Land & Cattle; Public perception and lack of awareness were also cited years to be nominated and receive this award.
Ransom Reed Hartman with Hartman Real Estate; John Legg as a big concern. “People generally have no idea of what ag Sponsors for this year’s Farm-City Luncheon include Ashley
with Legg Cattle Company; Adam Yingling with Crescent A requires,” John Legg said. Even those who realize that food Capital, Becker, Three Lakes, Florida Power & Light, Midbrook
Cattle Company. Facilitated by panel moderator Tom Hurley, comes from farms, not the grocery store, don’t appreciate what 1st Realty, Gunster Law Firm, Hartman Real Estate, O-Rourke
CEO, Becker Holding Corporation and Becker Tree Farm and it takes to raise crops or livestock. Engineering, RV Johnson & Auto-Owners Insurance, Star Farms
Nursery, the panelists shared their family stories and discussed Rick Hartman, president of One Martin, quotes Florida’s Corporation, Three Natives of Hobe Sound, U.S. Sugar, Agri-
some of the biggest challenges facing agriculture today. Commissioner of Agriculture as warning that the United States Gators Inc., Camo Farms, Captec Engineering, Family Lands
All agreed that high costs for every aspect of agriculture, has become a net food importer. This dependence on foreign Remembered, Farm Credit of Florida, Haley Ward, Lucido &
from feed for cattle to the plastic that binds the hay, are threats markets puts our national food security in danger, and the trend Associates, Market on Main, Ralicki & Company, Shearwater
to an operation that is “a price taker, not a price maker.” As is not positive. Marine Florida, Team Parks, Theresa and Richard Anderson,
LeeAnn Adams explained, when prices at the supermarket The panel had ideas on what can and should be done to Water Point Realty Group, and Wedgeworth Inc.
go up, the consumer assumes that farmers are making more preserve Florida and Martin County agriculture. “Buy local!” Farm-City Week is celebrated nationally each year
money. “That is simply not how it works,” Adams said. “There Adam Yingling advised. “Support Florida’s Rural and Family during the week leading up to Thanksgiving. Educational
is a long production chain, and the original farmer or rancher Lands Program,” LeeAnn Adams said, “so we can put land into events during this time celebrate and recognize the beneficial
gets very little at the end of it.” conservation and keep agricultural operations going.” Reed partnerships between rural and urban communities that make
The cost of land, pressures to sell from developers to Hartman added, “Know your source of information so you get our food supply safe and plentiful. Across the state of Florida,
the south of Martin County, high estate taxes when a farm the real facts about agriculture instead of myths, half-truths, members of the agricultural community join with local
is passed on to the next generation, and the difficulty of and downright misunderstanding of how ag works.” businesses and residents to learn more about the importance
sustaining the operations also have negative impacts on Also during the luncheon, Martin County Farm Bureau and impact of agriculture on the economy, the culture, and the
preserving the family farm. President Brittany Bearden recognized three Martin County future of the state and nation.

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