Dade County Farm Bureau - DCFB

Florida Farm Bureau Federation was conceived and nurtured by a group of dedicated people in agriculture who recognized a need for a general farm organization which could serve as a collective voice for its members. Out of the Great Depression came the need to help economically struggling farmers and ranchers. The development of the rock plow in the 1930s allowed the plowing of rock to create more top soil on large pieces of land giving rise to the large scale, tropical fruit industry.

On March 13, 1942, the Dade County Farm Bureau became the first county Farm Bureau established in Florida. Local farmers met at the Perrine School, and officers were elected. J.D. DuPuis, a local dairyman, served as the first President.

Miami-Dade’s location makes it ideal for the production of tropical fruits, exotic plants and winter vegetables. The agricultural history of Dade has been one of relocation caused by a sprawling population; it has also been one of growth fueled by the demands of this same increasing population. Agriculture is one of the top five industries in Miami-Dade County, providing an economic impact of over $2.57 billion to the local and state economy.

For over 60 years, the Dade County Farm Bureau has been an integral part of the agricultural community, bringing farmers together to solve issues collectively.

Today, the Dade County Farm Bureau has over 800 grower members, making it the largest agricultural organization in Miami-Dade County.


	Katie Edwards is the Executive Director of the Dade County Farm Bureau. In additional to managing the 4,000+ member Dade County Farm Bureau, she maintains governmental, media and industry relations. Katie joined the Farm Bureau staff as Director of Communications in July 2003 and was promoted to Executive Director in January 2004. She has a bachelors in Agricultural and Applied Economics from Clemson University. She is the founder and current president of Florida Agri-Women, and she was the first woman from Florida to serve as an officer of American Agri-Women. Katie was honored as the 2005 Agriculturist of the Year by the Greater Homestead/Florida City Chamber of Commerce. She was the first woman and youngest person to be inducted into the Farm Bureau's prestigious Hall of Honor in 2008. Katie is currently pursuing her Juris Doctor degree at Florida International University's College of Law.

	Debbie Brady is the Director of Member Services. Debbie joined the Dade County Farm Bureau in 2005 and has over 26 years experience in agribusiness. Debbie serves on the Board of Directors for Dade AGRI Council and as Secretary of Florida Agri-Women. She is also a member of American Agri-Women. Debbie and her husband, Mike, have been married for 28 years. They have two children, Michael and Lauren, and four grandsons, Boston, Knox, Driver and Kern. Debbie and Mike share a deep passion for agriculture and have plans to work their blueberry farm in North Carolina in the future.

	Theresa Smith is the Director of Communications. A recent transplant from New Orleans, Theresa is new to agribusiness. She obtained a B.S. in Public Relations from Loyola University New Orleans after a five-year enlistment in the United States Air Force. Theresa is married to Richard, and they have two daughters, Lindsey and Lauren.



Larry Dunagan, President Dunagan & Son	Kern Carpenter, President-Elect Kern Carpenter Farms

John Alger, Vice President Alger Farms	Bobby Shekels, Secretary United Agri Products

Alice Pena, Treasurer PNS Groves	Robbie Bishop, Past President 27 Farms of Homestead

Ivonne Alexander, Happy Days Nursery Colleen Boggs, Pine Island Nursery Teena Borek, Steven Borek Farms Mercedes Salazar Cantillo, Two Sisters Nursery Arturo de Leon, de Leon Farms Angela DelliVeneri, LaRocca Farms Bob Epling, Community Bank of Florida Sal Finocchiaro, S&L Beans John Fredrick, Atlantic FEC Steve Hoveland, H&H Grove Caretaking Services David Kaplan, The Plant Doctor Bobby Lee, Superior Foliage Bill Losner, 1st National Bank of South Florida Phil Marraccini, Summerland Fish Farm Robbie Martens, East Glade Growers Bob McMillan, Kerry’s Bromeliad Nursery Robert Moehling, Robert is Here John Sanchez, Blaylock Oil Steve Sapp, Florida Fresh International Neal Spencer, Bayside Tree Farm Sandy Stein, The Jungle Nursery Vito Strano, VSF Enterprises Leo Talerico, S&L Beans Erik Tietig, Pine Island Nursery Mark Wilson, Greendale Nursery, State Director Carolann Swanson, Esq., ex-officio, Women's Committee Chair

DADE COUNTY FARM BUREAU
1850 Old Dixie Hwy.
Homestead, FL 33033
Tel: 305.246.5514 – Fax: 305.245.9170
Email: dcfb2@bellsouth.net
(c) Copyright 2008-09 Dade County Farm Bureau. Site design: Ian Maguire