The Voice of Agriculture

dade-agriculture.org
The Official Publication of the Dade County Farm Bureau

December | 2014

Finocchario and Talarico Families Honored at DCFB Annual Meeting

Orazio Russ Finocchairo was born
July 28, 1934 in Fiu me Freddo
Sicilia, Italy. Russ worked on the
farm with his father in Italy. Russ
moved to New York in the summer
of 1949. He farmed in New York
with his uncle, Tony Alspina. Tony
Alspina and the Nicotras were
farming together in Chester, New
York when Guy and Russ met. The
Talarico and Finochiarro families
farmed in Chester during the
summers and Florida during the
winters from 1951. In 1966, they
moved to Florida.

By: Sonia Colon

Every year, Dade County Farm Bureau chooses a family to honor at their
Annual Meeting who has made an impact in the agricultural community.
The Finocchario and Talarico families have worked together for 47 years
building their business, F&T Farms.
Gaetano GuyTalarico was born on April 12, 1941 in Magisano PCatanzoaro,
Italy. He was a carpenter in Italy before he moved to Middletown, New York
in March 1960. Guy farmed in New York with his brother-in-law and fatherin-law, Leo and Joseph Nicotra.

Dade County Farm Bureau

1850 Old Dixie Highway
Homestead, Fl 33033
www.dade-agriculture.org
Phone (305)246-5514 Fax (305)245-9170

In 1967 F& T Farms began. Initially,

Russ and Guy only grew yellow
squash. Now they grow zucchini,
cranberry beans, pole beans,
string beans, grape tomatoes, bell
peppers and jalapenos.
The farm is now run primarily by
their sons Leo Talarico and Sal
Finocchario. Leo and Sal were
both born in New York but grew
up in Homestead. Since their

Features and Publishers Note

IN THIS

Issue

1 Farm Families of the Year

2 Features and Publishers
Note
3 Presidents Message
4 Cover Story
5 US Secretary of Ag Visit
6 Farm City Week
7 Congressman Ted Yoho
Homestead Farm Tour
8 Young Rancher Excels
Statewide
9 Florida Farm Bureau Annual
Meeting
14 Community Corner

SOC South joined DCFB in the Veterans Day Parade on a truck sponsored by Grand Prize Chevrolet.

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Publishers Note
The Voice of Agriculture is the quarterly publication of the Dade County
Farm Bureau, Miami-Dade Countys oldest and largest agricultural
organization. The Farm Bureau was established in 1942 to collectively
solve agricultural issues in the regulatory, legislative, economic and
social arena. For advertising or membership information please
contact Debbie Brady at (305) 246-5514.

Presidents Message

are a grower and have experienced problems with the high water table during
the past two years you are encouraged to attend and speak during the public
comment period. During the past two years this organization has met with
agencies and legislators to keep the flood protection that was approved by
Congress to protect agricultural lands in South Dade County. Tom MacVicar,
MacVicar Consulting has been a champion for the agricultural industry. His many
years of experience and expertise have brought us to this point. Unfortunately
we now are going to have to prove some of the facts of subsurface water tables
that have ruined production agriculture for some avocado, tropical fruit and
vegetable growers. Growers suffered millions of dollars in crop loss last season
and from this season we have to make our voice heard.

This is the season to be thankful and appreciate

the good in men. As we watch our news and
read our headlines we are sure of one thing,
that this world is changing. Many growers have
taken their businesses to other countries while
keeping a home base here in the US. I had the
pleasure to visit Costa Rica with a business
partner and get a true sense of appreciation for
the global trade opportunities that can happen.
While we all in the agricultural industry fight
regulation, water issues and immigration, other
countries just want to produce. We are not
all equal in the production and harvesting of
commodities. Next time you are in your local
market look at your labels, try and find Fresh
from Florida or grown in the USA. This is like
going on a scavenger hunt! Ask your children to
help you and make a game, this will educate our
future consumers to buy locally grown produce.
In January our newly elected legislators will be
busy working for you. There will be a few that
will not be returning and will be missed. It is
imperative that if you have issues or concerns
that you contact them directly or contact
Debbie Brady, Executive Director here at Dade
County Farm Bureau debbie.brady@ffbic.com.
We are the voice of agriculture and we want
your voice heard. On January 8 we will be
attending the WRAC meeting at South Florida
Water Management District at 9:00 a.m. If you

In October we had our annual meeting and would like to welcome our new
board of directors to the Farm Bureau Family. In November our Womens
Committee collected donations to give 40 turkey dinners to farm worker
families. In December we will hold our 8th annual toy drive and giveaway. Toys
will be donated to the children of farmworkers. This is a time of giving and I
would like to thank each one of our Board of Directors for the time they give all
year to this organization. I would also like to thank the staff and agents of Dade
County Farm Bureau for their dedication to this organization too. On December
31, Ray Timmons, Agency Manager will be retiring after 43 years of service here
at Dade County Farm Bureau and we all wish him the best in his golden years.
Sincerely,

George Butler
President

The Finocchiaro and Talarico Families

Cover Story
fathers were business partners the boys grew up as
best friends but considered themselves family.
As kids, Leo and Sal would go to the farm with their
dads and help out where they were needed.
We would go to the farm with our dads as early as
I can remember. We had to help out. We would help
pick zucchini with our mothers and stack and load
beans, said Sal.
The two attended to South Dade Senior High and
were active in the FFA. As teenagers Leo and Sal
both decided that they would persue a career in
agriculture.
In 1987, before they graduated high school, Leo and
Sal were named full partners at F&T Farms. In 1989
Sal and Leo formed S&L Beans which was created
to lessen the liability for Guy and Russ with F&T
Farms when they decided to step back from daily
operations.
Currently F&T Farms is growing 2,000 acres of several
vegetables including yellow squash, green beans,
grape tomatoes and zucchini.
Weve been together our whole lives and weve
always had a good relationship. We and our dads
have always had a really good working relationship
and its all been good, said Sal.
As for the future of F&T Farms, Sal Finocchiaro and
Leo Talarico are focused on the present and working
hard to grow their business even further, and they
credit their fathers with providing insight and
encouragement.

US Secretary of Agriculture Visit

By: Sonia Colon

During an Oct. 2 stop in Homestead, U.S. Secretary of

Agriculture Tom Vilsack announced the release of $118
million to strengthen markets for specialty crops. The funds
will support fruits, vegetables, tree nuts and nursery products.
Released through a grant program, the marketing dollars will
help pay for such projects as food safety research and methods
of increasing consumer access to fruits and vegetables.
For example, the Florida Department of Agriculture and
Consumer Services will receive $4.5 million from the program
to improve the market viability of locally grown specialty
crops in a partnership with Miami-Dade County.
Vilsack visited the area by invitation of Congressman Joe
Garcia. He first participated in a farm tour with community
leaders at the UF/IFAS Chapman Field research facility.
Later, a meeting and round table discussion was held at
Homesteads UF/IFAS Miami-Dade County Cooperative
Extension Office where he provided brief remarks regarding
USDAs mission, responsibilities, and commitment to the
growers and consumers of South Dade.
The agriculture leader praised the passage of the recent
farm bill and the money it provides for program initiatives,
thanking Congressman Joe Garcia for his support. Since my
tenure began, USDA has spent $43.7 billion in the state of
Florida, Vilsack said.
Growers who attended had an opportunity to ask him

questions involving many issues plaguing agricultural

producers, ranging from water issues to food safety rules and
regulations to the importation of vegetables and fruits.
There is an extraordinary diversity in Florida agriculture,
Vilsack remarked. I want the 99.9 percent of America that
does not farm to understand and appreciate what they have
with American agriculture. Its a big deal that were a country
that grows what we need.
We have delegated our responsibility to feed our families to
someone else and we wouldnt have that freedom without the
productivity of American agriculture, he added.
And we only spend 10 percent of our paychecks on food.
Anywhere else in the developed world that figure is 25 to 30
percent.

Farm City Week

6

Dade County Farm Bureau celebrated Farm-City

Week in downtown Miami. Farm City Week is an
observance that highlights the relationships between farm producers and urban residents. County Ag Manager, Charles LaPradd organized a Farmers Market at the Stephen P. Clark
Center in downtown Miami.

well as the ability to produce an extremely wide

range of crops.

Farmers and ranchers rely on essential partnerships with urban communities to supply, sell and
deliver finished products across
the country and around the
Miami-Dade Countys world. Consumer purchases, in
The Farm City Week Farmers Mar- Agricultural industry turn, make sustainable farm enket featured local growers on hand
terprise possible.
with fruits, vegetables, honey and ranks among the top
plants as well as educational dis- three industries for the Foods, fibers and renewable fuplays from the Florida Department
els are available to us because
County
of Agriculture & Consumer Servicof the daily relationships among
es, Dade County Farm Bureau and
farmers and ranchers, procesthe Miami-Dade County Cooperative Extension
sors, brokers, truckers, shippers, advertisers, wholeOffice.
salers and retailers. The collective efforts by these
members of our society provide a wholesome diet
Miami-Dade Countys Agricultural industry ranks
for everyone. In addition, farms and ranches conamong the top three industries for the County
serve freshwater resources, wildlife habitat and
and second in the State of Florida and is one of the
greenspace.
most diverse in the country. Our tropical climate
provides us with a year-round growing season, as

Congressman Ted Yoho Visits Homestead for Farm Tour

Congressman Ted Yoho visited the Homestead

area for a farm tour and a tour of the Port of Miami. Congressman Ted Yoho represents North
Central Floridas 3rd Congressional district
which includes Alachua, Union, Gilchrist, Bradford, Marion, Clay, Suwannee, Dixie, Lafayette,
Columbia, Levy, Madison, and Hamilton Counties. He was elected to the 113th Congress in
November 2012. Congressman Ted Yoho is the
only Florida member on the House Agriculture committee. He has a close connection to
agriculture. Prior to being elected Congressman, Ted Yoho was a large animal veterinarian
for 30 years. He cared for the animals of many
farmers and ranchers during that time. He appreciates growers and their way of life.
The farm tour was hosted by Dade County
Farm Bureau and Miami Dade County Ag
Manager, Charles LaPradd. The congressman
met with Steve Greer, agriscience teacher,
and the agriscience students of South Dade
High School. The students showed Ted Yoho
all the different crops they were growing and
shared their future aspirations of working in
the agricultural industry.
The congressman also met with many grow-

ers and heard their thoughts and concerns. He

visited Sam and Phillys U-Pick and Market, Brooks
Tropical, DiMare, and Schneblys Redland Winery
and Brewery. At the end of his tour, Yoho gave
this statement:
Florida agriculture is vitally important to the
economic health of our state. Our farmers and
ranchers produce some of the best food and beef
in the world. Increasing the global demand for
our agricultural products is very important to me.
I believe we should be doing all we can at the
federal and state level to support those who not
only put food on our table, but also put food on
the tables of families around the world.
I really enjoyed meeting local farmers and hearing their thoughts and concerns. I will be sure to
take what I have learned from these visits to the
House Agriculture Committee so we can create
agriculture policy that is best for America.

Young Rancher Excels Statewide

8

Kelvin Moreno of Dade County Farm Bureau was named the

winner of Florida Farm Bureaus Excellence in Agriculture
competition. This competition is open to farmers and ranchers between the ages of 18 and 35 who do not derive the
majority of their income from an owned farm operation.
The winner was announced during the Presidents Awards
Banquet at Florida Farm Bureaus 2014 Annual Meeting
in Ponte Vedra Beach on Oct. 29. Finalists in the competition also included Tamara Wood of Pasco County and Kevin
Wright of Suwannee County.
Contestants were judged on the basis of their involvement
in agriculture, leadership ability, participation in Farm Bureau
and community service. In addition to other prizes, Moreno
received an expense-paid trip to the American Farm Bureau
Federation Annual Meeting in San Diego Jan. 11-14, where
he will compete in the national awards program.
Kelvin Moreno is a fifth generation beef cattleman and
farmer. His familys agriculture roots date back to their time
in Cuba. When his parents moved to the United States, they
stretched those Cuban roots to Florida, laying the foundation
that made Kelvin the agriculturalist that he is today. Kelvin
serves as the President and Managing Director of Moreno
Firms, Inc which offers a variety of client services. Kelvin is a
graduate of the University of Florida College of Agricultural
and Life Sciences.

2nd Annual Turkey Donation

The Dade County Farm Bureau Womens Committee partnered with the Title One Program
in an effort to donate turkeys to the families of
both the Everglades Migrant Camp and the Redland Migrant Camp. Forty families recieved a
turkey with sides for their Thanksgiving dinners.
Members of the Womens Committee, staff from
the Title One Program and Harvest Queen, Amber Walker all particapted in the handing out of
turkeys just a few days before Thanksgiving.

Annual Meeting

9
Dade County Farm Bureau
Annual Meeting

The Dade County Farm Bureau has received a coveted award for
its achievements in the past year. The local organization earned
top honors at the 2014 Florida Farm Bureau Annual Meeting for
legislative and policy implementation, organization and management, public relations, education, agriculture promotion and
leadership development.
Farm Bureau members support the production of food, fiber and
renewable fuels in their communities. They also volunteer their
service in various civic and charitable projects.
Dade County Farm Bureau President George Butler said the award
recognizes that the members work together as a team, devoting
time and diligent effort to achieving common goals. Our volunteers have helped us to win this recognition, George said. I appreciate their service on behalf of our farm families and our larger
community.

The Dade County Farm Bureau

72nd Annual Membership meeting was held on October 7, 2014.
Board of Directors President,
George Butler, welcomed guests
and the Finocchario and Talarico
Families was introduced as Farm
Family of the Year by Larry Dunagan. The election of officers took
place, six new board members
were elected to serve for the 2015
year. Representative Holly Raschien and Congressman Joe Garcia spoke at the event and were
awarded for their constant support of the agricultural industry by
Florida Farm Bureau and American Farm Bureau.

The DCFB Womens Committee also received the Women in Excellence Award for all the volunteer efforts and dedication to the
committee.
Dade County Farm Bureau could not have received any of these
great honors without the help of their members and staff. Thank
you to our insurance and federation staff. Thank you to all members for being a part of our organization. We also want to recognize all of the volunteers who take the time to participate with us
at events.

The DCFB Board of Directors during the installation of officers at the Annual Meeting.

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19200 SW 344th St. Homestead, FL 33034
Phils Berry Farm
Saturday from 10 AM to 5 PM
Sunday from 11 AM to 5 PM.
13955 SW 248 St Homestead, Florida 33032
Sam and Phillys U-Pick and Market
16790 Southwest 177th Avenue, Miami, FL 33187
Closed Sundays
Curbside Market & Milkshakes
29100 Krome Avenue Homestead, Florida, 33030
Hours: 9am - 6 pm 7 days a week
Find a full List of local farmers markets at www.dade-agriculture.org

14

Community Corner
Events Calendar
December 09, 2014
DCFB/FNGLA Holiday Party
Schnebly Residence
December 16, 2014
8th Annual Toy Giveaway
South Dade Skills Center

(Above) Congratulations to Ron Hebert who retired this year after working for Dade County Farm Bureau for 34 years!
(Below) More photos from the Turkey Donation

January 10-11 2015

Redland Heritage Festival
Fruit and Spice Park
February 6, 2015
Women in Agriculture Luncheon
Schneblys Winery and Brewery
11:30am-1:00pm
February 5, 2015
Dade AGRI-Council Farm Tour and
Luncheon
Redland Golf and Country Club
Visit dade-agriculture.org for all
calender events

Board of Directors

15

George Butler, III, President

Ivonne Alexander, President Elect
Phil Marraccini, Secretary
Robert Moehling, Treasurer
Sam Accursio Jr.
Robbie Bishop
Teena Borek
Thomas Bullis
Kern Carpenter
Leonard Cavallaro
Jeffrey DeMott
Angela DelliVeneri
Larry Dunagan, Past President
Robert Epling
Sal Finocchiaro
Jerry Frye
Steve Greer
David Hanck
Carol Harris
Steve Hoveland
David Kaplan
Bill Losner
Dale Machesic
Robert Martens
Robert McMillan
Steven Meeks
Aaron Palmateer
Margie Pikarsky
Tom Rieder
Diego Rodriguez
Peter Schnebly
Pedro SiFuentes
Erik Tietig
Mark Wilson, State Director
George Cooper, Director Emeritus
John Fredrick, Director Emeritus
Kenneth Graves, Director Emeritus
Vito Strano, Director Emeritus

Dade County Farm Bureau

Member Services Staff

Ray N. Timmons, Agency Manager

Hal Arve, Jr., Agent

Dawn L. Baird, Agent

Judith M. Fernandez, Office Manager
Ronald D. Herbert, Agent
Elena Serna, CSR

Debbie Brady, Executive Director

Donna Alfaro, Receptionist
Hilda G. Davila, CSR
Eddy Munoz, Agent
Ray Timmons Jr, Agent
Sonia Colon, Executive Assistant

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Dade County Farm Bureau