Manatee County agricultural tour celebrates Farm-City Week

Bradenton’s Eileen and Robert Schuler have been touring Manatee County farms for 25 years because they like to see how the industry is evolving. 

For 33 years, the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences’ Manatee County Extension has held an agricultural tour to celebrate Farm-City Week, which highlights the relationships between rural and urban communities. 

“Most people think of Florida as the beach,” Eileen Schuler said. “They don’t realize it’s an agricultural state, so it’s a great education. We sometimes bring guests with us because they can see where we live.” 

The Schulers were touring McKeithen Growers on Nov. 14. The farm grows 90 varieties of primarily native trees and shrubs. 

Owners Eddie and Patricia McKeithen led the tour group of about 45 people around the farm, pointing out different varieties along the way and sharing tidbits about each, such as birds are attracted to American beautyberry bushes, and bees love teabushes. 

In an example of what Farm-City Week promotes — the vital relationship between farmers and urban communities — the McKeithens are currently ramping up their supply of salt-resistant trees.

After hurricanes Helene and Milton toppled trees along the west coast of the county, Eddie McKeithen said there is now and will continue to be a high demand for varieties, such as seagrapes and green buttonwoods. 

Some of the trees on the 25-acre farm looked weathered because they were laid on their sides prior to Hurricane Milton. It took staff two days to get to all of them, but the measure protects the inventory from high winds.

Patricia McKeithen said being on their side only causes the trees cosmetic damage, and by next spring, they’ll all be flushed out and gorgeous again. 

The trees were upright during Hurricane Debby, and the water rose above the pot lines. Thanks to an extensive drainage system, the property was drained in under 48 hours.

In addition to the drainage system, the tree farm uses two types of irrigation systems — drip and overhead. The growers employ the best management practices to prevent overspray and to conserve water. 

Photo by Lesley Dwyer

“To be a farmer today, you have to be well educated to be able to implement all this technology,” Eileen Schuler said. 

The rest of the tour featured Taylor Cattle & Citrus, Blackbeard’s Ranch and Mariposa Nursery.

Last year, the Schulers visited Wish Farms in Plant City during the tour. 

“They had a machine that determined if the strawberry was ripe or not,” Robert Schuler said. “It has a mechanical hand that knows if it should be picked or not. If it picks the strawberry, it goes right into cold water and into a basket.” 

While the Schulers have enthusiasm for the tour, the enthusiasm of the farmers they’ve met is another reason they return each year.

“They love their family, and they love their work,” Eileen Schuler said. “It’s inspiring.”