Dade County Farm Bureau will honor the Kenneth St. Germain Family as “Farm Family of the Year” during the organization’s annual membership meeting luncheon on Oct. 5, noon, at the Redland Golf and Country Club.
The Farm Family of the Year award was established to recognize Farm Bureau member families for their commitment to Dade agriculture.
The St. Germain Family began St. Germain Dracaena Farms in 1975. The original nursery was built on a two-and-a-half-acre parcel in Homestead off SW 182nd Avenue, and is where Kenny and his wife, Jackie, built their home with their boys, Chris, Keith and Bryan. They have now grown to over 100 acres in the Redland and Florida City.
In 1982, son Keith built Keith St. Germain’s Nursery. Keith’s son, Brandon, also has built his own nursery on SW 202nd Avenue becoming a third generation nurseryman in Homestead. Chris St. Germain contract grows for other established nurseries, while his daughter, Kathy, and son-in-law, BJ Whalen, have built Whalen Farms. Additionally, Kathy has built St. Germain Orchids.
“The passion for plants in this industry that this family holds is something remarkable,” said Kathy Whalen. “The old saying ‘born with a green thumb’ has a whole new meaning when you hear the family name, St. Germain.”
If you wish to attend Dade County Farm Bureau’s annual membership meeting, contact Theresa Smith, director of communications, at 305-246-5514. Tickets are $25 per person. This annual event directly supports the Florida Farm Bureau informational campaign for 2011, “Strengthening Family Farms and Communities.”
Dade County Farm Bureau represents more than 4,000 members, over 1,000 of whom are actively involved in agribusiness and represent over 900 agricultural operations. Dade County farmers provide an economic impact of over $2.57 billion to the local and state economy.
Visit the website at www.dade-agriculture.org. If you are interested in learning more about membership and benefits with Dade County Farm Bureau, contact Debbie Brady, director of Member Services, at 305-246-5514.
