Marshal Sewell, representing the Mind Your Melon campaign, addressed mental health in agriculture and facing adversity during Peace River Valley Citrus Growers Association’s (PRVCGA) recent annual meeting.
“Mental health was a perfect topic for this past year’s events,” said PRVCGA Executive Director Emma Keller. Florida citrus growers have seen production drop to its lowest level since before World War II as a result of HLB disease and recent hurricanes. Many have stopped growing entirely; most who remain in business struggle to make a profit.
Sewell, a Plant City native whose family has grown strawberries for generations, has seen the toll that stress in farming can take in his own family. At the PRVCGA meeting at Turner Center in Arcadia, Sewell spoke to 150 growers and others celebrating the association’s 30th anniversary.
Keller reported that Bo Meador is PRVCGA president for the coming year. Meador is vice president of Everglades Agricultural Services Inc. John Matz is vice president, and Chris Kamberg is treasurer. Matz is production manager for Chapman Fruit Company Inc. and owner of 66 Groves. Kamberg owns TriYield.
The latest additions to the association’s board are David Edwards, crop consultant for Nutrien Ag Solutions; Jared Essman, sales agronomist for Bio-Gro; Ben Krause, general manager for Round Orange, LLC; and Joby Sherrod, director of agronomy at Alico, Inc.
Planned PRVCGA activities for the year include a fun shoot, golf tournament on April 15, numerous grower roundtable discussions, and increased involvement with the 4-H citrus clubs in the area. The association will also participate in National OJ Day on May 4.
PRVCGA was founded in 1993 to represent growers in DeSoto, Hardee, Sarasota, Manatee and Charlotte counties. It offers representation on all issues affecting commercial citrus, including legislative and regulatory matters. PRVCGA participates with other citrus organizations, committees and work groups.
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