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Red Gold honored seven growers with the Red Gold Master Grower Award at Red Gold’s 27th Annual Grower’s Banquet held in Indianapolis, IN and was in conjunction with Purdue University’s Horticulture Congress. All the Master Growers were awarded with a Red Gold plaque. The Master Growers were Abbett Farms of LaCrosse, IN receiving their seventh Master Grower Award, AcMoody Farms of Union City, MI receiving their seventh Master Grower Award, Gelfius Farms of Hartsville, IN receiving their seventh Master Grower Award, Iott Farms of Deerfield, MI receiving their first Master Grower Award, Myers Sod Farms of Seymour, IN receiving their third Master Grower Award, Paarlberg Farms of Rolling Prairie, IN receiving their ninth Master Grower Award, Rice Farms Tomatoes of Wanatah, IN receiving their eighth Master Grower Award.
The Master Grower Award is given away each year to recipients who have distinguished themselves from others by delivering quality production, and exhibiting professionalism and industry leadership. All growers for Red Gold have had training on good production practices, employee safety, and human resources. Out of the seven growers that were awarded with the Master Grower Award, Rice Farms Tomatoes of Wanatah, IN was chosen to receive the coveted E.A. Reichart Quality Achievement Award to honor them as Tomato Grower of the Year. The Reichart family was pleased to present the award to Scott and James Rice of Rice Farms Tomatoes before a group of nearly 200, consisting of growers and their families and Red Gold employees in attendance.
Photo (L to R): Kevin Wheatley, Justin Gelfius, Steve Bennett, Bill Gelfius, Ben Iott, Kris Iott, James Rice, Scott Rice, Ryan Paarlberg, Jim Paarlberg, Tyler Paarlberg, Adam Myers, Glenn Abbett, and Tyler Abbett
Red Gold also presented Scott and James Rice of Wanatah, Indiana a plaque naming them the winner of the E.A. Reichart Quality Achievement Award to honor them as Tomato Grower of the Year. Rice Farms Tomatoes was chosen from a select group of seven master growers, picked from 48 growers for Red Gold, Inc. Scott and James Rice also received their eighth Red Gold Master Grower award. Winners received specially designed plaques in recognition of their achievement in growing high quality tomatoes, exhibiting industry leadership, and professionalism. All growers for Red Gold have had training on good production practices, employee safety, and human resources. As tomato growers for Red Gold, the Rice’s have excelled in stewardship and sustainable practices on their farm and participates in the Red Gold IPM program.
This year’s production from Rice Farms Tomatoes would account for over 16 million cans of Red Gold whole, diced, stewed, and specialty tomato products. The award was presented during Red Gold’s 27th Annual Growers Banquet in Indianapolis, IN.
Presenting the award to Scott and James Rice was the Reichart family, Beau Reichart, Director of Operations, Colt Reichart, Director of Omni-Channel and Creative Marketing, and A.J. Anderson, Senior Cost Accounting Manager. The banquet is held in conjunction with the Indiana Raw Products Conference, sponsored by Purdue University.