Agribusiness
About
Palm Beach County is one of the largest agricultural counties in the United States. Scientists and farmers from around the world have toured the area to see the progressive production techniques used by agricultural producers in Palm Beach County. The economic impact of the industry is estimated to exceed $2 billion annually.
It's a core component of Palm Beach County’s economy, leading the nation in the production of sugarcane, fresh sweet corn, and sweet bell peppers. It leads the state of Florida in the production of rice, lettuce, radishes, Chinese vegetables, specialty leaf, and celery. In fact, 36% of the county’s land mass, 456,001 acres, is dedicated to agriculture.
The Numbers
573Â companies
10,890 jobs
$55,272 average salary
$1.0 Billion Total Gross Regional Product
Estimated $1.397 billion in total agricultural
sales for 2019-20 economic impact
THE GLADES REGION
A strategic location, the "Glades Region" of Palm Beach County is comprised of the City of Belle Glade, City of Pahokee, and City of South Bay. The tri-county region is the crossroads for unique business with plenty of land to grow.
HOME TO CUTTING-EDGE RESEARCH
The Everglades Research & Education Center (EREC) in Belle Glade, FL is an agricultural and environmental research and education unit of the University of Florida. The sixteen scientists, along with eighty staff members, are from various academic disciplines and participate in interdisciplinary team approaches to investigate agricultural and environmental issues. The mission is to conduct research and extension programs in southern Florida that will explore and promote profitable and sustainable agricultural systems.
Palm Beach County Cooperative Extension:
The Extension is an off-campus branch of the University of Florida's Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (IFAS). Research-based education is offered by trained professionals and volunteers to provide problem solving information to Palm Beach County residents. It is supported by the Palm Beach County Board of County Commissioners, University of Florida, and the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
HOME TO:
The Kubota Agriplex is one of the premiere agricultural facilities in the state of florida and a multi-purpose event location in the heart of Palm Beach County! Centrally located in Palm Beach County, the South Florida Fair Agriplex provides easy access from all parts of "booming" South Florida by both Interstate 95 and the Florida Turnpike, the Agriplex at the South Florida Fairgrounds offers 51,000 usable square feet of exhibit space ideal for:
- Agricultural Events
- Special Events
- Equestrian Shows
- Trade & Consumer Shows
Spotlight
Florida Crystals
Florida Crystals farms 190,000 acres in South Florida, where it also owns two sugar mills, a sugar refinery, a packaging and distribution center, a rice mill and the largest biomass renewable power plant in North America, which cleanly powers its sugar operations.
It grows the only organic raw cane sugar in the United States. Florida Crystals follows some of the most sustainable farming practices in the world through practices like crop rotation, precision agriculture and using barn owls to naturally control pests in farms.
It owns:
- two sugar mills
- a sugar refinery
- a packaging and distribution center
- a rice mill
- the largest biomass renewable power plant in North America
Spotlight
TKM Bengard Farms
TKM Bengard Farms, LLC is the largest lettuce grower east of the Mississippi, growing leafy greens. TKM Bengard sells produce to major processors and retailers that in turn, distribute to supermarkets, schools, and restaurants across the country. If you eat salads, there’s a good chance that you have eaten lettuce grown by TKM Bengard.
TKM has:
- 8,000+ acres of lettuce, leafy greens and sweet corn
- Largest lettuce grower east of the Mississippi
- Family-owned company managed by six brothers
Spotlight
Tellus Products
Tellus runs on renewable biomass power from sugarcane fiber. The sugarcane fiber comes from the sugar mill and solar energy, making it an extremely efficient and environmentally sustainable manufacturing facility. Tellus produces eco-friendly, compostable foodservice and tableware products that are made from upcycled sugarcane fiber and other U.S. grown plant fibers and displace disposable plastic and foam products. Â
About Tellus:
- 120,000 sq. ft. manufacturing facility
- Manufactures disposable plastic and foam products from sugarcane fiber
- Employs hundreds in Belle Glade
Let's Talk
With customized strategies, essential resources, and a collaborative network of industry leaders, we’re here to fuel your success.