A Florida vegetable farmer is one of 10 individual state winners who will compete for the Sunbelt Ag Expo Southeastern Farmer of the Year Award in October.
Wade Purvis, Immokalee, Florida, will represent the Sunshine State at the annual event in Moultrie, Georgia, on Oct. 17. Purvis operates 2,350 acres with 1500 acres rented and 500 acres owned. His crop yields are as follows: 1,500 irrigated acres of green beans yielding 200 bushels per acre; 250 acres of irrigated specialty beans (lima and edamame) yielding 200 bushels per acre; 100 irrigated acres of watermelon yielding 40,000 pounds per acre; and 500 irrigated acres of peas yielding 150 bushel per acre.
Purvis has also teamed with two other producers to start their own marketing company, Farmers Alliance.
“The partnership was created so we could offer a variety of products on a consistent, year-round basis and acquire the best outlets. We use social media to connect directly with consumers and use that venue as an educational tool for American-grown produce,” Purvis said. “While the majority of our produce is allocated to retail and FOB markets, social media has broadened our platform and helped us form collaborative enterprises with farming colleagues.”
Purvis also operates Alliance Packing, where 1.5 million packages are processed every year.
“Each of these companies (Farmers Alliance and Alliance Packing) operates cohesively for overall benefits while centralizing resources and sharing marketing strategies. In today’s industry, it’s imperative to vertically integrate to remain in business and be successful,” Purvis said.
Purvis Farm employs 10 full-time workers, while the packing house hires seasonal help (both domestic and H2A) of up to 50 workers.
Purvis has plans to expand u-pick opportunities and explore the possibility of agritourism on the farm.
“We’ll be moving one of our farm locations to new ground this spring, and with this transition, we’re planning opportunities for alternate crops and implementing that agritourism component at the new site,” Purvis said.
Purvis will compete against other farmers from Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Kentucky, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee and Virginia.
This year’s Farmer of the Year will be announced at the Expo luncheon on Tuesday, Oct. 17.