Farm City Luncheon 2022 dives into Martin County aquaculture

Farm City Luncheon 2022 dives into Martin County aquaculture, brings together business, ag, environment and community

Pictured (l to r): Brandon Tucker, Pam & Bobby Tucker, Maureen Cotter and Patricia Ditmars

Aquaculture is big business in Florida, accounting for more than $200 million in annual revenue and making Florida one of the top producers in the nation for this branch of agriculture.

Guests at the 2022 One Martin Farm-City luncheon on Nov. 17 learned about the innovative ways that the Florida aquaculture community is farming the seas, its growing promise to address an increasing global demand for food, and its local economic impact.

Now in its fifth year, the One Martin's Farm-City Luncheon, held in partnership with the Martin County Farm Bureau, brings together urban and rural residents of Martin County to celebrate the important relationships between farmers, consumers, civic leaders, and everyone in between who contribute to the community’s safe, abundant food supply. It is part of the national celebration of Farm City Week, traditionally held the week before Thanksgiving to highlight the interdependence between rural and urban citizens.

“People have an image of agriculture as fields of citrus groves or cattle grazing on the land, and that’s certainly an accurate picture of a good portion of western Martin County,” said Rick Hartman, president of One Martin, a nonprofit organization that hosts the local Farm-City luncheon each year. “But there’s much more to farming than row crops and livestock. There’s an entire aquaculture (fish farming) industry that provides important food sources grown in water. It’s a big economic driver in our region.”

Megan Davis, Ph.D., Research Professor with the Aquaculture and Stock Enhancement Program at Florida Atlantic University’s Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute in Fort Pierce, described HBOI’s ongoing work to develop sustainable production techniques for farming fish, clams, oysters, shrimp, urchins, algae, seaweed and sea veggies. “Our research work has immediate and practical impacts on the food supply, health and nutrition, and the environment,” Davis said. “It’s cool science and it’s also the hope of the future.”

Butch Olsen, Executive Director of the Port Salerno Commercial Fishing Dock Authority, and Paige Cruise, a 16-year-old passionate advocate for Florida agriculture, inspired the sold-out luncheon audience with a renewed appreciation for the agricultural community and how interdependent rural and urban communities are. “Everything in our day, from the food we eat to the clothes we wear and the homes we live in, comes from the farm in some way,” Cruise said. “Agriculture is our life blood.”

The Farm-City luncheon menu was a model of farm-to-table cuisine: beef from the iconic Adams Ranch, flounder and sheepshead from the Port Salerno Commercial Fishing Dock Authority, veggies from the Everglades Agricultural Area, and potatoes from Agri-Gators. The event took place at Pirate’s Cove Resort and Marina, a prominent part of the Historic Port Salerno Waterfront District.

A fast-paced live auction by Ransom Hartman included a tour of Bull Hammock Ranch by ranch owner Wes Carlton, an Ernie Barnett painting of St. Lucie Boulevard, and an afternoon trail ride for four at the Hobe Sound Polo Grounds, which helped One Martin raise funds to continue its educational work.

One Martin is grateful for the sponsorship support of these organizations: Ashley Capitol, Becker Tree Farm; Adams Ranch; Three Lakes; Midbrook 1^st Realty Corp.; Hartman Real Estate; The Tucker Group; M Ranch; Star Farms; O’Rourke Engineering and Planning; Velcon Engineering and Planning; U.S. Sugar; HJA Design Studio; Shearwater Marine and Industrial; Bull Hammock Ranch; Van Vonno Consulting; McNicholas & Associates; Captec Engineering; Market on Main; Agri-Gators; Wedgworth’s; Team Parks; SLC Commercial; Camo Farms; Ralicki Wealth management & Trust Services; Ideas For Us; Proctor Construction Co.; The MilCor Group, a division of Haley Ward, Inc.; Indiantown Marina; Tarpon Blue; Meritage Homes; Lucido & Associates; Family Lands Remembered; Sugar Cane Growers; Tellus; and Caulkins Water Farm.

About One Martin

One Martin is a 501(c)(4) non-profit organization dedicated to creating a more informed citizenry and providing opportunities for civil discussions on topics of importance to Martin County. One Martin’s goal is to also encourage local government to operate more ethically, efficiently and transparently. For more information visit www.onemartin.org or follow us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/OneMartinCounty.

Treasure Coast Business is a news service and magazine published in print, via e-newsletter and online at tcbusiness.com by Indian River Media Group. For more information or to report news email [email protected]

Dec. 2, 2022|

Sunshine Kitchen hosts student culinary cook-off Oct. 25

The public is invited to a Culinary Cook-Off as the Sunshine Kitchen hosts a student cooking challenge on Tuesday, Oct. 25, starting at 10 a.m. for a chance to win a $1,500 scholarship.

Presented by the Treasure Coast Education and Research Development Authority, this student cooking contest will pair Indian River State College students with St. Lucie Public School students as they compete for $1,500 in scholarship funds. Prep work will begin at 9:50 a.m.; cooking starts at 10:05 a.m.; judging will take place at 11:05 a.m., with awards being presented at noon.

The categories/winning divisions included:

• Plate Appearance

• Taste/Flavor

• Teamwork/Cooperation

• Proper Cooking Procedures

• Knife Skills

• Degree of Difficulty

• Sanitation/Food Safety

Two $1,500 scholarships will be awarded with funding provided by the St. Lucie County Board of County Commissioners. Scholarships will be paid to the St. Lucie County Public Schools Education Foundation and Indian River State College Education Foundation.

The public is invited to attend and enjoy this free event. Refreshments will be provided by middle school students enrolled in culinary programs through the St. Lucie Public School District. Those interested in attending should register before Wednesday, Oct. 19 by emailing: [email protected] or calling 772-467-3107.

Located inside the Treasure Coast Research Park, the Sunshine Kitchen is a 10,000-square-foot, state-of-the-art food incubator where chefs, caters, food truck operators, and more can hone their culinary skills. The Sunshine Kitchen Food Business Incubator is located at 7550 Pruitt Research Center Road, Fort Pierce, Fla. 34545. For more details, visit www.sunshinekitchenslc.com.

The Sunshine Kitchen is owned and operated by the Treasure Coast Education and Research Development Authority and the St. Lucie County Board of County Commissioners.

Treasure Coast Business is a news service and magazine published in print, via e-newsletter and online at tcbusiness.com by Indian River Media Group. For more information or to report news email [email protected]

Oct. 17, 2022|

Treasure Coast extension makes space for food system connections Oct. 11

The Good Food Connections virtual meet up is back. Do you grow a food product you aren’t sure how to market or distribute? Are you a chef looking to add unique local items to your menu? Join us starting Tuesday, Oct. 11 from 5 – 6 p.m. via Zoom.

Good Food Connections meetings are free virtual networking events designed to give all participants of the food system, such as growers, distributors, retailers, food pantries, chefs, school food service and more, the opportunity to make connections that will strengthen our food system. Maybe someone needs your old equipment. Perhaps you can make a great food special with the last of someone’s harvest. Because we are virtual, the opportunity to connect regionally is better.

Each meeting will include a presentation from someone who is part of the food system. It is a chance to learn about their efforts and needs. Past meetings have led to less local food waste, increased food supplies for food banks and even the establishment of a food policy council in a nearby county.

Let the St. Lucie UF/IFAS Extension staff know if you’d like to present during a session about your operation. In the past, we’ve learned about the resources provided by the Treasure Coast Food Bank and House of Hope. We took a virtual tour of Colab Farms in Martin County. We would love to feature a local restaurant or food truck.

Please register in advance to receive the zoom link; there is no fee to participate. All UF/IFAS Extension programs are open to all and the University of Florida is an Equal Opportunity Organization. For more information about this event, contact Carol Roberts via email at [email protected] or call 772-462-1895 or co-organizer Yvette Goodiel at [email protected].

Sep. 27, 2022|

Sunshine Kitchen partners with Florida Small Business Development Center at IRSC

The National Restaurant Association estimates that one in three restaurants won’t survive their first year in business. To combat that static, St. Lucie County’s Sunshine Kitchen is partnering with Indian River State College’s Small Business Development Center to provide free consultation to clients at the kitchen.

Starting in October, the Small Business Development Center will have a full-time consultant located at the Sunshine Kitchen to provide advice and direction to small business owners and would-be entrepreneurs on topics such as creating marketing plans, developing new clients and navigating local, state and federal regulations. The consultant will also present group training programs on a variety of business-related topics that meet the needs of local businesses as well as conducting outreach activities to local trade groups and associations.

About the FSBDC at IRSC

The Florida Small Business Development Center (FSBDC) at Indian River State College (IRSC) is a part of the Florida SBDC Network.

The Florida SBDC Network provides tools, training, and resources to help small businesses grow and succeed. Designated as “Florida’s provider of small business assistance,” the Florida SBDC Network has more than 40 offices from Pensacola to Key West to serve the needs of Florida’s business community. Since 1976, our network of partners has helped construct a statewide ecosystem to foster the spirit, support, and success of hundreds of thousands of entrepreneurs and innovators.

The Florida SBDC Network is funded in part by the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), Defense Logistics Agency, State of Florida, and other private and public partners, with the University of West Florida serving as the Network’s designated lead host institution. The Florida SBDC Network is nationally accredited by the Association of SBDCs.

Ready to get your business started on the path to success? Contact your local Florida Small Business Development Center at IRSC!
[email protected] | (772) 336-6285 | www.irscbiz.com

Sep. 9, 2022|

Treasure Coast Food Bank names four to board of directors

Treasure Coast Food Bank has named four community leaders to its board of directors. Christine Kelly-Begazo, Richard P. Tambone, Scott Bass, and Maj. Petri Hayes all recently began their board service. The new members add expertise to the board in the areas of agriculture, education, public safety, and economic development.

“We welcome Christine, Richard, Scott, and Maj. Hayes to the Board of Directors and look forward to the wealth of expertise they have to share,” said Judith Cruz, President and CEO of Treasure Coast Food Bank. “Their knowledge and longtime dedication to the Treasure Coast will help us as we work to fight hunger and alleviate its causes.”

Christine Kelly-Begazo has been an agriculture educator for nearly three decades, starting with a 4-year stint in the Peace Corps in Honduras. She is a County Extension Director and Agent in the University of Florida/IFAS Extension office located in Vero Beach.

Kelly-Begazo holds a master’s degree in agronomy from the University of Florida and has worked with the agricultural community in Indian River County since 2004. She initiated the Peanut Butter Challenge in Indian River County, a food drive among all the ag extension offices that collects peanut butter for local food banks. In 2020, she received Distinguished Service Awards for Excellence in Extension Education Programs from both the Florida Association and the National Association of County Agricultural Agents. Kelly-Begazo will serve as Treasurer of the Board.

Richard P. Tambone is a leading Florida and New England commercial, industrial and multifamily real estate developer responsible for the acquisition and development of more than 15 million square feet of office, research, industrial, medical, and multifamily projects in South Florida, the Southwest, and the Greater Boston markets.

From 2016-2022, Tambone Companies had the opportunity to serve as the master developer for the City of Port St. Lucie to market and expedite the sale and development of land within the 1,200 acres of Tradition Center for Commerce with the goal of spearheading economic development in the region.

Scott Bass is Deputy Superintendent of the School District of Indian River County. He has served nearly 30 years in public education, beginning as a science teacher and sports coach in Glades County. After leading several schools as a principal and assistant principal, he served as Assistant Superintendent for the Glades County School District, supervising operations, human resources, career and adult education as well as principals. He was elected Glades County Schools Superintendent in 2012 and re-elected in 2016.

Under his leadership, the school district experienced significant achievements, including third-highest graduation rates in Florida and second-highest kindergarten readiness scores. He was named Deputy Superintendent for Indian River County in 2020, and oversees school safety, district operations, human resources, and supervision of all the district’s principals.

Major Petri Hayes commands the Department of Detention within the St. Lucie County Sheriff’s Office, which includes numerous divisions that oversee inmates. He holds a degree in Criminal Justice and a graduate certificate in Public and Environmental Affairs from Indiana University. He served with the Indiana Department of Corrections for 10 years prior to moving to Florida.

Petri joined the St. Lucie County Sheriff’s Office after completing the Florida Corrections Officer Proficiency Course through Indian River State College in 2009. He was a member of the agency’s Gang Intelligence Task Force, serves as Commander of the jail’s Emergency Response Team, and worked to develop a physical fitness training course for members of the Emergency Response Team. Petri also serves the community through tireless work organizing and coaching basketball camps and leagues for youth in St. Lucie County.

Mitch Hall, General Manager of Walmart Distribution Center #7038, will continue in his role as Executive Board Chairman for the 2022-23 year. He will serve along with Vice Chairman Peter Tesch, President of the Economic Development Council of St. Lucie County, and Secretary Mark Satterlee, Deputy County Administrator of St. Lucie County. Professor Emeritus Ed Skvarch is Past Immediate Chairman.

Returning to the board are David Jackson, legislative aide to Congressman Bill Posey, and Karl Zimmermann, a community advocate from Vero Beach.

Christine Kelly

Major Petri Hayes

Richard P. Tambone

Scott Bass

ABOUT TREASURE COAST FOOD BANK

Treasure Coast Food Bank is the only food bank and largest hunger relief organization on Florida’s Treasure Coast, providing the community each year with millions of meals valued at more than $50 million through robust programs and in partnership with 400 charitable organizations in Indian River, St. Lucie, Martin, and Okeechobee counties. In addition to emergency food distribution, Treasure Coast Food Bank operates a full roster of direct service programs that not only solve the immediate problem of hunger, but help individuals and families gain long-term food security, better health outcomes, and self-sufficiency. Treasure Coast Food Bank is a member of Feeding America, the nationwide network of 200 food banks that leads the fight against hunger in the United States. For more information on Treasure Coast Food Bank, call 772.489.3034, log on to stophunger.org, visit our Facebook page at facebook.com/tcfoodbank, or follow us on Twitter at twitter.com/tcfoodbank.

Sep. 9, 2022|

Sunshine Kitchen to Host Commercial Kitchen Food Safety & Regulation Workshop April 27

Are you a food entrepreneur looking to better understand the state and federal food regulations? Do you need help developing a food safety plan or to practice food safety techniques? Join UF/IFAS Extension for a one-day workshop on the basics of Preventive Controls for Human Food (PCHF) rule and other relevant food safety regulations on Wednesday, April 27 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Sunshine Kitchen.

This workshop will include activities covering proper cleaning, sanitation and other food safety techniques, practices and principles that are critical in shared-use kitchens and all commercial food processing facilities. User-friendly examples and templates will be provided so attendees leave with the basic components of a food safety plan. This workshop is not a replacement for the Food Safety Preventive Controls Alliance-Preventive Controls Qualified Individual (FSPCA-PCQI) course. However, it can act as a prerequisite and is meant to benefit food entrepreneurs of all levels.

The cost to attend this workshop is $10 for members of the Sunshine Kitchen and $30 for non-members. To register visit: foodsafetyftpierce4-27-22.eventbrite.com. For more information contact Matt Krug at: [email protected].

Located at 7550 Pruitt Research Center Road in Fort Pierce, the Sunshine Kitchen is a 10,000-square-foot commercial kitchen facility designed to offer culinary entrepreneurs the space to grow their business. The facility is owned and operated by the St. Lucie County Board of County Commissioners. For more information about the Sunshine Kitchen, including rental fees, visit: www.sunshinekitchenslc.com.

Apr. 11, 2022|

Treasure Coast Food Bank launches fresh food processing plant

FORT PIERCE – Treasure Coast Food Bank has launched its new $2.4 million fresh food processing plant and fresh produce initiative, the Florida Agriculture & Nourishment Collaborative.

The multi-pronged social enterprise program is expected to channel 25 million pounds of fresh, nutritious produce from area farms into the hands of food-insecure individuals and children during […]

Mar. 20, 2017|

Ventura Foods to acquire local facility

PORT ST. LUCIE – Ventura Foods – a leading producer of custom and proprietary dressings, sauces, mayonnaises, oils and other flavorings – has reached an agreement to acquire the Dressings, Sauces and Mayonnaise (DSM) business of Cargill.

The DSM business adds greater depth to Ventura Foods’ capabilities in the custom dressings, sauces and mayonnaise categories. […]

May. 4, 2016|