After graduating from Durant High School in 1999, Shad had plans to pursue a degree in aeronautical engineering and then to become a pilot with the U.S. Air Force. “However, that plan came to an end when I ran up against a calculus class,” said Shad. “I had worked on the family farm while growing up and in 2003 my dad offered me a job and I have been involved ever since.” Shad is farm manager with responsibility for day-to-day operations, while his father handles the other matters associated with the farm. Three years after joining the family farm business, Shad married Leslie Thompson and they are the proud parents of four-year-old Shaz, who just earned his orange belt in karate. Leslie is pursuing a nursing degree and is currently enrolled at Hillsborough Community College with plans to continue her education at Polk State and possibly beyond. Leslie, like Shad, is a lifelong resident of Plant City. The Simmons family has been involved in the Florida Strawberry Growers Association since its beginnings in 1982. Initially it was Shad’s grandfather, then his father, who held the posts of association president, vice president and secretary and now Shad. “The board still has representation from older growers, but there has been move to add younger members to the leadership,” said Shad. “I have found the experience both challenging and rewarding.” The future for strawberry growers is not without challenges. “Among the most significant is the issue of labor,” said Shad. “It is important for us to have a readily available workforce and that has become an ongoing challenge. Some of the options that have been made available are simply not practical or economically viable. Add to that the need to adequately address our immigration policy on the long term basis. “There has also been ongoing media attention over the issue of fumigants the last few seasons,” said Simmons. “Growers are in compliance with applicable regulations, but I have come to the belief that there is a small group of people who have an agenda that includes other issues and hoped for outcomes.” Simmons noted representatives of the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency have been closely monitoring the fumigation situation. “Growers utilizing the fumigant in question have been fully compliant with regulations regarding its use. In fact, some have gone beyond in the interest of WWW. WWW.IINNTTHE HEFFIELD IELDM MAGAZINE.COM AGAZINE.COM
community harmony.” The regulators continue to consider the fumigation matter, but to date have made no changes regarding either the use or application. “Compliance with other, ever-changing regulations is also among the challenges we face as are effective control of production costs and managing introduction of new varieties of strawberries. And, we have competition from Mexico and California that becomes a factor as our season nears completion. Mother Nature is another factor that we face as growers have forever.” The FSGA continues its funding of the development of new breeds of strawberries to further differentiate Plant City-grown strawberries from those originating elsewhere. Those monies come from royalties paid by growers worldwide who purchase Florida strawberry varieties developed by breeders at the University of Florida underwritten by the FSGA. Simmons noted different options strawberry growers have exercised to meet some of these challenges. “We have opted to grow our farm from 33 to 150-acres since 2003, and we have diversified with different crops. We have devoted eight acres to blueberries this year and we plan to increase that to 15 acres over the next two years.” “In the fall after planting our strawberries, we have also planted peppers. We do the same in the spring and both are done primarily to provide additional work for our workers,” he said. “Many growers are taking advantage of technological advances that help lower production costs and enhance sustainability. Simmons noted his fellow growers work to help one another and share information. “If you have a question or need help, all it takes is a phone call and the answer or assistance is always available. That’s something that makes our industry strong even in the face of the ongoing challenges before us. I feel very confident in our future.” In his spare time, Shad enjoys taking his airboat out on Lake Kissimmee, trail riding his jeep and watching Shaz improve his karate skills. “I used to hunt alligators, but have not had a chance the last few years,” he said, noting his biggest catch was “an eleven-footer.” For information about the FSGA, picking strawberries, recipes for preparing desserts and more with Plant City strawberries, visit: http://flastrawberry.com.
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