Larry Corn; Palatka, FL – Fresh From Florida

Charlie Corn, Larry’s father, first started farming cabbage in Palatka, FL in 1950.
He began farming potatoes in 1952, along with corn and cucumbers. Larry, along with his son Brett, still farm on this same land in Putnam County, FL. Through years of experience, they continue to grow the finest L&M potatoes (new reds, whites, and Yukon golds), cabbage, broccoli, and greens.

Apple King; Yakima, WA – Heart of Washington

CEO Ray Keller brings an understanding of the apple industry that stems from deep within his own family tree. From the time Keller’s grandfather bought his first orchard in 1914, Apple King has always been an industry leader, focused on quality, service, and meeting your needs. L&M has partnered with Apple King for over 10 years and primarily packs in L&M’s Natures Delight label.

Pope & Son, Inc; Clinton, NC – Goodness Grows In North Carolina

To Pope and Son Inc., growing quality vegetables is both a way of life and a passion. The family farming tradition stretches back four generations in Sampson County, NC. Edward Pope first brought his crops to sell at the Faison, NC auction market in the 1970’s. Today his grandsons, Tracy and Clay, grow, pack and ship to locations all along the east coast. With over 200 years of farming experience, the Pope’s bring you only the finest squash, cucumbers, eggplant, and bell peppers. They do so by following the Good Agriculture Practices to verify their food safety program.

Tracy Pope is also proud to be President of both the Vegetable Association of NC and the Horticulture Council in NC.

Royal Ridge Packing and Cold Storage; Royal City, WA – Heart of Washington

Located in the town of Royal City, WA, Royal Ridge grows both conventional and organic apples, cherries, and blueberries. In addition to growing fruit, Royal Ridge also has a freezing operation which freezes both cherries and blueberries. Royal Ridge has one of the largest growing and freezing operations for tart cherries in the Northwest. L&M has been proudly marketing Nature’s Delight cherries for Royal Ridge for the last seven years.

Mike Ahlberg; Delta, CO - Colorado Proud

Mike has been farming onions in Colorado for nearly 35 years.  After doing this for such a long time, he has nearly perfected his craft.

When thinking about his favorite part about being a farmer, two things come to Mike’s mind – people and the environment.  “As a farmer, I get to do a public service … I’m doing what’s best for the public and the environment.”

In addition to onions, Mike also grows sweet corn, field corn, watermelons, and hay. 

Gene Barnett; Immokalee, FL – Fresh From Florida

If you ask Gene Barnett what he’s most proud of as a farmer, his answer is simple – “Just growing.” Season after season, he enjoys the freedom of the outdoors, and watching his hard work come to life in the form of a wide variety of Florida crops. Like his father and grandfather before him, Gene has been farming since childhood. Now, after forty-five years of being in the fields, he thinks back, “I always wanted to be a farmer,” he says without a doubt.

When Gene is not driving a tractor, he’s likely to be in the sky piloting his plane; which he has been doing since he was 16.

Kenny Bennett; Moultrie, GA – Georgia Grown

Kenny Bennett of L&M Farms was born with a passion for farming. As a 3rd generation farmer, Kenny inherited both a strong work ethic, and a talent for growing quality Georgia crops. In 1969 when Kenny was in 11th grade, he was ready to become his own farmer, so he decided to rent a few acres of land and grew wheat and soybeans. During his senior year of high school, while his friends were going to the beach, Kenny bought and farmed 101 acres of land. Today Kenny still owns those acres of land in Moultrie, Georgia, plus 3,000 more.

Kenny started growing for L&M Farms in 1995.

Ryan Williams; Calipatria, CA – California Grown

Ryan Williams is an onion man.  Out in the beautiful, sunny fields of Calipatria, California – Ryan works with growers when it’s time to harvest.  He’s an expert at harvesting, packing, and warehousing onions until they are ready to be on your plate.  Ryan loves “the whole process”.

And when Ryan finds time away from the onion field, he and his dad collect and restore antique tractors.  They have around 60… all of which were made before 1950!

Strand Apples, Cowiche, WA – Heart of Washington

     Strand Apples was founded in 1944 in Cowiche, WA, and incorporated in 1961. Today, it remains a family business, run by the second generation. Strand Apples built the first Controlled Atmosphere (CA) storage in the northwest, and Roger Strand, the current President, was one of the leaders in writing the first CA laws for the State of Washington.Strand Apples packs in L&M’s Natures Delight label, as well as ships under the “Strand Apples”, “Viking” and “Marlin” labels. 

Eric Hansen; Stanley, NY – Pride Of New York

New York cabbage is Eric Hansen’s specialty. In New York, growing cabbage is unique and Eric takes pride in that.

Eric has been in the fields most of his life. He simply loves being a farmer. His grandfather first started farming in 1955; and passed along his zeal for growing to Eric’s father, who then taught Eric. Eric is happiest when out in the fields being a “steward of the land.”

In addition to growing the finest New York cabbage, Eric also loves hunting – bow hunting, specifically.

Chris Schnorr; Fort Collins, CO – Colorado Proud

For Chris Schnorr farming is truly his passion.  He says, “It’s a challenge day in and day out.  I like to see things grow and see us produce more than we did last year because of better yields and better farming.”

When Chris is not on his own farm, he loves touring other farms to see what they’re doing to be more productive and “gain a better knowledge of my trade,” he says.

He is very proud of his food safety program, too.  His wife manages the food safety side of the farm and warehouse while Chris runs the farm.

Andrus & Roberts; Sunnyside, WA – Heart of Washington

Tradition and pride in quality are at the heart of family-owned Andrus & Roberts. For over 50 years, Andrus & Roberts has been growing in Greater Yakima Valley and the Columbia Basin. Now operated by the third generation, they grow, pack and ship several varieties of apples, cherries, wine grapes, asparagus and potatoes. They pack in the Nature’s Delight label.

Joey Mickler; Clewiston, FL – Fresh From Florida

Joey Mickler started farming in North Florida in the early 1980’s before moving his operation to South Florida to work in the sugar cane industry. Soon he found produce calling his name and has been farming top quality vegetables ever since.

Joey’s favorite part about being a farmer? The satisfaction of seeing the crops grow. “Success is seeing it grow,” he explains. “If I didn’t get to see it grow, I wouldn’t be in it. That’s why we are all in it.”

Joey’s favorite way to spend his time away from the fields is with his family.

Charles Gray & Sons; Elizabeth City, NC – Goodness Grows in North Carolina

When asked how he got into farming, Michael Gray’s answer is simple. “I was born into it,” he says without hesitation. Growing up on the farm, Michael learned the lessons of hard work and determination allowing him to be the successful farmer he is today. “When I’m not on the farm, I’m thinking about it,” he says. Michael loves many of the aspects about being a farmer, but his favorite is the entire “process” – planting, watching it grow, and then harvesting a good crop. “It takes a lot of time to be a farmer, but it’s my passion.”

When he is not in his fields, Michael can be found spending time with his family, or sometimes in the woods hunting.

Hunter Gibbs; Englehard, NC – Goodness Grows In North Carolina

Coordination.  From seed to harvest – Hunter Gibbs makes it happen.  Hunter has farming roots stretching back to his great-grandfather, and he believes maybe even further.  What he does know for a fact is that he has been in the fields his whole life – and absolutely loves it.  When thinking about how he got into farming, Hunter likes to joke about how he began on his father’s farm, who only paid “room and board.”  However, this didn’t provide the cash he was going to need when he went to college.  Thus, he decided to work for other farmers in his area, so he was able to buy a car and have money for expenses.  What he wasn’t aware of at the time was by working with other farmers, he was learning different techniques and methods that one day would help him succeed.

When he’s not in the fields, you will probably find Hunter on a boat.  His favorite thing to do after spending time with his family and farming is fishing.

When you see and taste North Carolina potatoes – think of Hunter; think quality, hard work, and an entrepreneurial spirit.

Agricola Vema; San Quintin Baja California – Mexico

Agricola Vema’s founder, Absalom Vega Munguia, entered the world of produce in the early 1990’s. After saving his money, he bought a truck to transport vegetables from the fields to packing sheds. Then a few years later, he decided to try his hand at growing his own vegetables.

Munguia founded Agricola Vema in 1998. He’s had the opportunity to see his company sprout from a simple six acre open field to 80 acres of shade house and 20 acres of open field – right in the heart of one Mexico’s top growing areas.

Agricola Vema grows Roma tomatoes, cucumbers, and bell peppers.

Tom Shane; Mt. Vernon, WA - From the Heart of Washington

“Freedom and flexibility!” is what Tom Shane loves most as a farmer.  But Tom also loves doing something he’s really good at … and he’s really good at growing potatoes.  He was born into farming in Skagit County, WA, and just can’t imagine doing anything else.

In addition to red and white potatoes, Tom also grows berries, pumpkins, and cucumbers.  When he’s not on the farm, you’ll find him with his family or maybe at the gym.

Agricola FAADER; Culiacan, Sinaloa – Mexico

The Mexican soil has been kind to Fernando Sr. Since deciding to give farming a try in the early 1980’s, Fernando Sr. has learned to grow an array of vegetables. He has grown eggplant, Roma and grape tomatoes, cucumbers, bell peppers, and more! Then about two years ago, Fernando Sr. joined his son Fernando Jr., who has over ten years of shade and greenhouse growing experience, to form Agricola. Together with L&M, Agricola grows only the finest slicer cucumbers and Roma tomatoes.

Joel Boseman; Battleboro, NC - Goodness Grows in North Carolina

“Farming is a lifestyle,” says Joel Boseman from Battleboro, NC.  “It’s working for yourself and doing what you love.”

Even though growing sweet potatoes is new to seasoned farmer Joel Boseman, he’s quickly developed a passion for growing them.  He loves trying something different every once in a while, and he’s quickly found success with the sweet crop.

Joel also grows cucumbers, peanuts, tobacco, and has cows and chickens, too!

Marc Arnusch; Greeley, CO - Colorado Proud

Marc has always been a farmer and simply loves it.  After returning from college, he decided he would try farming on his own and it has been a success!  Marc’s farming heritage stretches back three generations in the United States and three more overseas.  With growing sustainably always in mind, Marc trusts his experience as a 7th generation farmer to keep him conscious of how he uses his resources.  For example, his farm uses about a third less water than 15 years ago

Jeff Peed; Aurora, NC - Goodness Grows In North Carolina

Jeff has always been around farming. He started farming in 1993 for himself after he obtained a four year horticulture degree from North Carolina State University.  He’s always had a love for watching things grow, and even as a child, had his own garden.

Jeff also enjoys hunting and fishing, with quail hunting being his favorite.