Page 9 - Stuart Exposure - January '23

Stuart Exposure, Page 9

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Farm-City Luncheon 2022 certainly an accurate picture of a good portion of western these organizations: Ashley Capitol, Becker Tree Farm;
One Martin is grateful for the sponsorship support of
Martin County,” said Rick Hartman, president of One
Dives Into Martin County Martin, a nonprofit organization that hosts the local Adams Ranch; Three Lakes; Midbrook 1st Realty Corp.;
Aquaculture Farm-City Luncheon each year. “But there’s much more Hartman Real Estate; The Tucker Group; M Ranch; Star
to farming than row crops and livestock. There’s an
Farms; O’Rourke Engineering and Planning; Velcon
entire aquaculture (fish farming) industry that provides Engineering and Planning; U.S. Sugar; HJA Design Studio;
One Martin’s Event Brings Together important food sources grown in water. It’s a big economic Shearwater Marine and Industrial; Bull Hammock Ranch;
Business, Ag, Environment And Community driver in our region.” Van Vonno Consulting; McNicholas & Associates; Captec
Aquaculture is big business in Florida, accounting for Megan Davis, Ph.D., research professor with the Engineering; Market on Main; Agri-Gators; Wedgworth’s;
more than $200 million in annual revenue and making Aquaculture and Stock Enhancement Program at Florida Team Parks; SLC Commercial; Camo Farms; Ralicki
Florida one of the top producers in the nation for this Atlantic University’s Harbor Branch Oceanographic Wealth Management & Trust Services; Ideas For Us;
branch of agriculture. Institute in Fort Pierce, described HBOI’s ongoing work Proctor Construction Co.; The MilCor Group, a division
Guests at the 2022 to develop sustainable production techniques for farming of Haley Ward, Inc.; Indiantown Marina; Tarpon Blue;
One Martin Farm-City fish, clams, oysters, shrimp, urchins, algae, seaweed Meritage Homes; Lucido & Associates; Family Lands
Luncheon on Nov. and sea veggies. “Our research work has immediate and Remembered; Sugar Cane Growers; Tellus; and Caulkins
17 learned about the practical impacts on the food supply, health and nutrition, Water Farm.
innovative ways that and the environment,” Davis said. “It’s cool science and About One Martin
the Florida aquaculture it’s also the hope of the future.” One Martin is a 501(c)(4) nonprofit organization
community is farming Butch Olsen, executive director of the Port Salerno dedicated to creating a more informed citizenry and
the seas, its growing Commercial Fishing Dock Authority, and Paige Cruise, a providing opportunities for civil discussions on topics of
promise to address 16-year-old passionate advocate for Florida agriculture, importance to Martin County. One Martin’s goal is to also
an increasing global inspired the sold-out luncheon audience with a renewed encourage local government to operate more ethically,
demand for food, and its appreciation for the agricultural community and how efficiently and transparently. For more information visit
local economic impact. interdependent rural and urban communities are. www.onemartin.org or follow us on Facebook at www.
Now in its fifth year, Pictured left to right: Rick “Everything in our day, from the food we eat to the clothes facebook.com/OneMartinCounty.
the One Martin’s Farm- Hartman and Reed Hartman we wear and the homes we live in, comes from the farm in
The Farm-City Luncheon menu was a model of Treasure
City Luncheon, held in some way,” Cruise said. “Agriculture is our life blood.”
partnership with the Martin County Farm Bureau, brings
together urban and rural residents of Martin County to farm-to-table cuisine: beef from the iconic Adams
Ranch, flounder and sheepshead from the Port Salerno
celebrate the important relationships between farmers, Commercial Fishing Dock Authority, veggies from the Coast Outdoors
consumers, civic leaders, and everyone in between
who contribute to the community’s safe, abundant food Everglades Agricultural Area, and potatoes from Agri-
supply. It is part of the national celebration of Farm City Gators. The event took place at Pirate’s Cove Resort and
Marina, a prominent part of the Historic Port Salerno No Boat? Now Might
Week, traditionally held the week before Thanksgiving
to highlight the interdependence between rural and urban Waterfront District. Be A Good Time To
citizens. A fast-paced live auction by Ransom Hartman helped
“People have an image of agriculture as fields of One Martin to raise funds to continue its educational work. Join A Boat Club
citrus groves or cattle grazing on the land, and that’s
By Jim Weix
Compared to owning a
boat, boat clubs are a less
expensive way to have a boat
to use. They are also more
convenient than towing a
boat, launching it, and then
figuring out where to keep it.
You don’t even need to clean
it when you return to the dock.
Another advantage is that
you have a variety of boats
that you can use. You can get
a flats boat for skinny water
Pictured left to right: Bruce Book, MaryAnne Cruse, Paige Pictured left to right: Brandon Tucker, Pam and Bobby fishing, a deck boat for taking
Cruse and Chuck Cruse Tucker, Maureen Cotter and Patricia Ditmars the family out, or a bigger boat
for offshore fishing. You can
also simply rent a boat if you
EVERY SUNDAY don’t want to become a boat
9AM-2PM are that there are often minor
club member.
The main disadvantages
FLAGLER PARK maintenance issues and
downriggers on offshore boats
are often missing or in bad
•FRESH PRODUCE need of repair. This comes with the territory when you have

•LIVE MUSIC numerous people using a boat day after day.
The biggest hurdle for many people wanting to join a boat

•MOBILE CRAFT BAR club is often the initiation fee, which will be several thousand
•KIDS MARKET dollars. After that, you pay a monthly fee, which is normally
very reasonable.
(last Sunday of every month) The good news is that the prerecession economy seems to
be solving the initiation fee problem. I got an email on Oct.
20 from Premier Boat Club that they are having a no-initiation
Operated by Stuart Main Street fee promotion.
I have belonged to this boat club for many years. They are
located by Shrimpers, in the Manatee Marina, 4905 S.E. Dixie
Fresh Local Produce & Honey Highway, Stuart. Their website is https://premierboatclub.com/
Organic Eggs, Beef & Poultry and their phone number is (772) 220-1012.
Household Plants & Florals Last month I wondered if our golden local tilefish
Homemade Cheeses population could handle commercial fishing. Since they
Spices & Sauces
Freshly Baked Breads & Tasty Treats are nonmigratory, local populations are very susceptible to
overfishing.
Pottery, Art & Home Décor BE A PART OF
The bad news is that a few commercial vessels were
Handcrafted Jewelry & Accessories SOMETHING targeting these tilefish and local anglers were having trouble
Vegan and Gluten Free options! FRESH! catching any. The good news is that if you try new areas, you
A market for growers, crafters, artists & other creators will find some.
Editor’s note: Jim Weix is an avid hunter, angler,

conservationist, as well as an outdoor writer. Jim is included
in the Wisconsin Waterfowl Association’s Hall of Fame for
772-285-0502 | market@stuartmainstreet.org helping restore thousands of acres of wetlands. Jim is a broker
Stuart Main Street is a 501c3 non-profit focused on promoting the Historic Downtown. associate with The Keyes Company. He can be reached at (772)
341-2941 or by email: jimweix@jimweix.com.