A Story Of Success

Last month, American Vegetable Grower (AVG) presented the seventh annual Grower Achievement Award to a grower operation that not only stays on top of its game, it wins each match — in a manner of speaking.

The 2008 Grower Achievement Award was presented to Bill Brim, Ed Walker, and Neal Kicklighter of Tifton, GA’s Lewis Taylor Farms, Inc. The award, sponsored by Syngenta in cooperation with United Fresh Produce Association, was presented at the Washington Public Policy Conference on Sept. 11. Lewis Taylor Farms not only exemplifies what it means to work hard to produce the best and safest produce possible, this farm goes a step further to help provide industry leadership, as well.

Evolving To Succeed

In 1985, Brim and Walker purchased the farm from family members. At the time of purchase, the farm mainly supplied bedding and tomato transplants.
These owners adapted to the marketplace and today the farm operates 42 greenhouses that produce more than 100 million vegetable transplants annually. Vegetable acreage — which includes peppers, cucumbers, squash, cantaloupe, watermelon, broccoli, and much more — tops 4,000.

On top of that, Lewis Taylor Farms implemented some of the latest technology in the form of an innovative cooling system. And, to make sure it is providing the safest produce possible to consumers, when the state of Georgia set up a food safety program in 2003, this farm was one of the first in the state to be certified. “We are doing everything possible to make sure the American public has the safest food in the world,” adds Brim.

Taking a leadership role, Lewis Taylor Farms was integrally involved in the establishment of the state’s grower group, the Georgia Fruit and Vegetable Growers Association, as well as taking part in implementing a state checkoff program.

This operation also looks out for the needs of growers across the country. The list of national organizations Lewis Taylor Farms is involved with is quite extensive and includes the National Fruit and Vegetable Advisory Council and the United Fresh Produce Association — just to name a couple of them.