Paul Beary Dickman founded the first tomato packinghouse in Ruskin. Starting with one acre of tomatoes, he became one of the state's largest growers, with over 3,000 acres of vegetables. He expanded his interests to include citrus, cattle and a pre-cooling service for fresh produce. Dickman developed many items of specialized equipment for growing staked tomatoes and worked with the USDA and the University of Florida in preparing and packaging vegetables for retail sale, the latter winning him recognition as Vegetable Man of the Year from the Vegetable Growers of America in 1951. He was a member of various agricultural, business, social and community organizations, serving as president of many of them, including the Florida Fruit and Vegetable Association and Florida Council of Farm Cooperatives. He was Vice President of the Vegetable Growers Association of America, and was named Florida Man of the Year in Agriculture by Progressive Farmer Magazine in 1949.
John Buckner Boy, Sr., served 41 years with U.S. Sugar, the largest cane milling operation in North America, 17 of those years as president. He expanded the corporation's interests into cattle, vegetables, citrus and sod and pioneered many innovations in equipment and methods in the sugar cane industry. Under his leadership, U.S. Sugar donated land for parks, youth centers, libraries, civic centers and other community facilities. He encouraged employees to become equally involved in community affairs. Both as a corporation executive and an individual, he has always had great interest in sponsoring scholarships and youth activities.
Ruth Springer Wedgworth was widowed at an early age, with three small children to support, but quickly took firm hold of the family business, which centered on celery, sugar cane and produce in the Belle Glade area. She gained respect in what was then considered a man's world by donning boots and joining them in the fields. Known as an innovator, she was a key organizer of the Florida Celery Exchange. She was also a charter member of the Sugar Cane Growers Cooperative of Florida. She served on the Governor's Committee on Migrant Workers, the Select Committee, which laid the groundwork for the Minimum Foundation Program for Florida education, as well as many other groups in the fields of health, education and social services. She was named Woman of the Year in Agriculture by Progressive Farmer Magazine, received a Distinguished Service Award from the Florida Fruit and Vegetable Association and was named Woman of the Year in Florida Agriculture.
