Ohio FFA Students Get Up-Close Look at Florida Crystals' Rice Harvest

We had a great time hosting a group of high school future farmers on one of our western Palm Beach County rice farms recently, giving a behind-the-scenes look at how we grow and harvest the staple food.

The members of the Ohio Chapter of the Future Farmers of the America (FFA) learned the ins and outs of local farming from our rice team members — Daniel Cavazos, Director of Rice Farming, and Francisco Medellin, Jr., Rice Production Supervisor — who explained Florida Crystals' rice operations and showed them a rice combine as well as a sugarcane harvester.

The Ohio teens were in awe of our unique muck soil in the Everglades Agricultural Area (EAA) where we farm our sugarcane, rice and sweet corn. Daniel said the muck features 80 to 85% organic material, compared to single digits of organic material in the students’ clay soil at home.

We believe in the importance of sharing our knowledge and educating the public about the importance of South Florida agriculture, and we know these budding farmers have bright futures ahead of them!