Farmers are a salt of the earth bunch – they’re not in the industry for any recognition or accolades. But in the heart of LaBelle, where farming forms the backbone of the community, there’s an agriculturalist who’s earned himself a very prestigious award.
Rows upon rows of tomato plants were flourishing on a farm off Sears Road in LaBelle. Gene McAvoy, a specialized horticulture agent in southwest Florida, says a lot of it has to do with pest control.
“Chemicals, insecticides, and fungicides are not the only answer. Pests soon become resistant to those if that’s all you use. So, we’ve basically embraced the concept called Integrated Pest Management,” said McAvoy.
This concept, McAvoy says, includes controlled burns of harvested crops to ensure a fresh start each season.
His innovative techniques and dedication to education through his pest and disease hotline and the Pest of the Month column in the Florida Growers Magazine have made him a renowned figure in the agricultural community.