Florida Farmer of the Year gives back to his community

June 6, 2013

Gainesville – John Scott Long, a Palm City man, has been named the 2013 Swisher Sweets/Sunbelt Expo Florida Farmer of the Year. The award recognizes Long’s success as an agricultural producer and as a contributor to his local community.

He has participated in projects that support area citizens in need for many years. In 2012, for example, the third-generation Martin County farmer donated more than 110,000 pounds of food to local charities. Long and his wife, Janet, have four children – Stephanie, Rebekah, Anna and James.

Farm production has always been Long’s career objective. “I remember telling my father all I wanted for my sixth birthday was to drive a tractor,” he said. Good care of natural resources is part of what he does every day to pursue his calling. “We have initiated an extensive voluntary proactive implementation and maintenance of Best Management Practices,” Long explained.

He will now compete against nine other state winners for the 2013 Swisher Sweets/Sunbelt Expo Southeastern Farmer of the Year title. Officials at the Sunbelt Ag Expo will recognize the regional award recipient in Moultrie, Ga. in October.

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Florida Farm Bureau is the Sunshine State’s largest general agricultural organization with more than 147,000 member-families representing Farm Bureaus in 60 counties. Membership provides a multitude of benefits and you don’t have to be a farmer to be a member of Florida Farm Bureau.