Dade County Farm Bureau: Events

Have a chance to Win a F-150 Ford Truck from Lorenzo Ford

56th ANNUAL AGRICULTURAL FARM TOUR AND LUNCHEON

Friday, February 22, 2019

The Dade County AGRI Council in collaboration with UF/IFAS Extension in Miami-Dade County, Miami-Dade County Agricultural Manager, Dade County Farm Bureau, Florida Nursery and Landscape Growers Association and Farm Credit would like to invite you to participate in the 56th Annual Agricultural Farm Tour and Luncheon scheduled for Friday, February 22, 2019.

Each year, the tour stops at different agricultural operations to showcase the diversity and uniqueness of farming in the subtropical climate of South Florida.

click on links for information and registration forms: Tour Information & Registration Form

14th Annual Women in Agriculture Luncheon Honoring Marlyn Carpenter
February 8th, 2019

Marlyn Carpenter: Farm Bureau Woman of the Year

Born a farmer’s daughter on her family’s dairy farm, Marlyn Eaker Carpenter was born in Cherryville, NC. Marlyn was the youngest of four siblings born to Kern and Ruby Lee Eaker. The Eaker family continued to run the dairy farm until 1945 when Marlyn, her parents and her 3 siblings, Charles, Verneda, and Dan moved to Homestead, FL. After moving to Homestead her dad continued his love for farming as a tomato farmer.

Marlyn attended South Dade Senior High School from 1957-1960 and furthered her education for one year at Andrew’s College in Georgia. During her years at South Dade High, Maryln worked as a secretary for the First United Methodist Church and a receptionist for Dr. Roger Gunderson, a local dentist. She was an active volunteer in her church and was selected president of the Methodist Youth Fellowship (MYF) for four years.

In 1958, Maryln met Dennis Carpenter who coincidentally was from the same small town of Cherryville, NC and came from a long history of tomato farmers and had Hubert Carpenter and Sons farm. They dated for two and a half years before marrying in 1961. Shortly after they had two children, Kern and Denise.

Marlyn taught pre-school at the First United Methodist Day School for 16 years. With her love of farming, she would also spend her weekends helping out at the family U-pick fields. She had to take a leave of absence when her husband of 17 years became ill and passed away in 1978. Widowed with two teenage children, Marlyn continued to run Dennis Carpenter Farms for the remainder of that season.

In 1983, Kern Carpenter Farms was established making it the 3^rd generation of tomato farmers. During that time, Marlyn began doing the bookkeeping for her son Kern and continues to do so today. In 1988, along with bookkeeping for the farm, Marlyn began working at Florida City Elementary as a K-4 teacher’s assistant for 8 years. She was then transferred to West Homestead Elementary where she worked in the library as a paraprofessional. She took an early retirement from Dade County Public Schools so she could be the full time caregiver for her elderly mother. First a farmer’s daughter, then a farmer’s wife, and now a farmer’s mother, Marlyn continues to stay active in her church as well as keeping the books for Kern Carpenter Farms.

A Proclamation presented by City of Homestead, Mayor Stephen Shelley

A Tribute presented by State Representative Holly Raschein

A Proclamation presented by Tiffany Lorente on behalf of Senator Anitere Flores

Marlyn Carpenter and Her Family

Other Proclamations and Congratulatory Letters presented on behalf of:

City of Florida City, Mayor Otis Wallace
Commissioners Daniella Levine Cava & Dennis Moss
Commissioner of Agriculture Nikki Fried
Congresswoman Debbie Mucarsel-Powell

DCFB Annual Meeting Honoring the DiMare Family

The Farm Family of the Year- The DiMare Family

The Farm Family of the Year Award presented to the DiMare Family by
DCFB Preseident, Erik Tietig And DCFB Board Member Kern Carpenter

Lance Pierce presented the Champion of Agricultural Award on behalf of
Florida Farm Bureau Federation to Representative Holly Raschein

Vice Mayor Stephen Shelley presented the DiMare Family with a Proclamation from the City of Homestead

Representative Raschein & Senator Anitere Flores presented the DiMare Family with a Proclamation and a Tribute

Anthony Frank Balzebre, Maria Levrant & Charles LaPradd presented the DiMare Family with a Proclamation
on behalf of Mayor Carlos Gimenez & Commissioner Daniella Levine Cava