Page 4 - Martin Downs Bulletin - January '24

Page 4, Martin Downs

Spotlight

Farm-City Luncheon 2023 The cost of land, pressures to

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

Treasure Coast Hospice

A TREASURE HEALTH SERVICE

Three generations of Hartmans at the 2023 Farm-City Luncheon.
Pictured from left to right: Rick Hartman, Rick Hartman’s
grandson, Hunter, and Hunter’s dad, Ransom Reed Hartman
Club NewS We’re Here When
You Need Us

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do research. When that’s the case, the trip will be most successful Grief counseling for our patients, their
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Smith is an associate librarian emeritus at the University
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The Martin County Genealogical Society offers a 24/7 772-403-4500 VISIT US ON THE WEB
variety of services at the Genealogy Room in the Blake www.TreasureHealth.org
Library including an extensive research library, access to
several genealogy websites and assistance from MCGS Licensed since 1982. Treasure Coast Hospice complies with applicable Federal civil rights laws and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin,
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activities and services go to mcgsfl.org.