2019 Farm City Luncheon Showcases Martin County Agriculture
One Martin’s Event Brings Together Business, Ag, Environment and Community
PALM CITY, Fla. – Florida Commissioner of Agriculture and Consumer Services Nicole “Nikki” Fried delivered the keynote address at the 2019 Martin County Farm City Luncheon at Rockin H Ranch in Palm City on Thursday, November 21. The non-profit organization One Martin’s mission is to cultivate an informed citizenry and build a prosperous community. In partnership with the Martin County Farm Bureau, the third annual Farm City event is part of the larger state and National Farm-City week and celebrates the importance of relationships between farmers, consumers, community leaders, and everyone in between who contributes to our safe, abundant food supply.
“A gathering like this brings together members of Martin County’s business, agricultural, and environmental communities. While sharing a meal together, it’s a great way to celebrate the important role agriculture still plays in the economic and civic life of our community,” said Rick Hartman, President of the One Martin Board of Directors and Owner of Hartman Real Estate. “For One Martin, it’s also an opportunity to remind urban and rural citizens that we have much in common.”
Moderating a lively panel discussion, One Martin Board Member Mitch Hutchcraft, Vice President of Real Estate for King Ranch and Consolidated Citrus, posed questions about the state of food security in our country and the environmental challenges and opportunities that currently engage our farmers, ranchers, civic leaders and residents. Panel members included Diane Rowland, Chair of the Agronomy Department and Professor of Crop Physiology in the Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences at the University of Florida, Kerry Kates, the Director of Water and Natural Resources for the Florida Fruit and Vegetable Association, and Krista Erickson, a fourth-generation farmer and co-owner of Erickson Farm, Incorporated.
The nearly 200 guests at the Farm City Luncheon enjoyed a delicious, gourmet farm-to-table lunch created by Chef Mark Muller, owner of Ellie's Downtown Deli and Catering. The meal included a swamp cabbage soup with locally sourced hearts of palm, a whipped sweet potato mousse, and herb-marinated, grilled flank steak with beef provided by the legendary Adams Ranch.
One Martin is grateful to the sponsors and partners who supported the Farm City Luncheon including: Consolidated Citrus; Midbrook First Realty Corporation; Shadow Lake Groves; Ralicki Wealth Management and Trust Services; Tellus; Becker Tree Farm; Caulkins Water Farm; Star Farms; Tarpon Blue; U.S. Sugar; Hartman Real Estate; Spur Land and Cattle; Agri-Gators, Incorporated; Martin County Commissioner Ed Ciampi, District 5; Caulfield and Wheeler, Incorporated; Mancil’s; FPL; Whiticar Boat Works; O’Rourke Engineering and Planning; Indiantown Airport; Florida Coast Equipment; Florida Crystals; Florida Sugar Cane Growers Co-Operative; Freedom Waste Services; Team Parks; Captec; Economic Development Council; Proctor Construction; IBMSECU; Lucido and Associates; MilCor; Helena; Wedgworth; Martin County Farm Bureau; Adams Ranch; Hendry County Commissioner Karson Turner; and House of Hope.
About One Martin
One Martin is a 501(c)(4) non-profit organization dedicated to creating a more informed citizenry, building a more prosperous community and providing opportunities for civil discussions on topics of importance to Martin County. One Martin’s goal is to also encourage local government to operate more ethically, efficiently and transparently. For more information go to www.onemartin.org or follow us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/OneMartinCounty.