Carters Named Escambia County Outstanding Farm Family

October 3, 2013

The Matt Carter Family has been named the 2013 Escambia County Outstanding Farm Family.

Matt has been married for eight years to Dawn, and they have two girls — six-year old Emily and almost-two Jayden.  They work together on their farm on Byrneville Road to being the freshest, highest quality vegetables direct to local consumers at their Matt’s Produce stand and weekly at the Palafox Market in Pensacola.

Matt grew up working alongside his father, Lance Carter at Crary Dairy. As a youth, he was a member of the Northview FFA chapter and was chapter president. He is still very active in supporting agriculture as a member of the EscaRosa Young Farmers and Ranchers.

For a number of years, he worked off the farm at the West Frazier Sawmill. But when it closed in 2008, he saw the opportunity to open his own farming operation. He saw the interest for local produce steadily increasing and knew that he wanted to be a part helping to supply homegrown vegetables to Escambia County resident. His business started small with tomatoes, squash, cucumbers, and zucchini which he sold at the farmstand on Byrneville Road, but quickly joined the Palafox Market to sell his  product.

Over the past five years, the Carters have expanded their operation both in acreage and product variety. Throughout the year, Matt and Dawn produce peppers, tomatoes, squash, potatoes, onions, zucchini, turnips, mustards, collards, cabbage, broccoli, cauliflower, peas, and butter beans. Future plans included a certified kitchen at the product stand  so they can sell value added items straight to the consumer.

Comments

26 Responses to “Carters Named Escambia County Outstanding Farm Family”

  1. Debra Gilmore on October 5th, 2013 12:48 pm

    What a wonderful honor and so deserved! I am proud to know this young couple they work so hard and set such a wonderful example. Mr Lance and Ms. Mary you have led by example and It has paid off! I know you are proud!

    Debbie Gilmore

  2. Shorty on October 4th, 2013 9:52 pm

    Beautiful family. Congratulations on your accomplishment! :)

  3. Betty Killam on October 4th, 2013 9:09 pm

    Good Job Matt! Proud to be in a community where hard work is appreciated. Farming is the hardest job there is and so unpredictable at time. Congratulations to you and your family.

  4. Hilary Gilles on October 4th, 2013 9:32 am

    Awesome! We just love having them at the Palafox Market!

  5. melodies4us on October 3rd, 2013 11:41 pm

    What a cute family!

  6. Grandma Alice on October 3rd, 2013 8:28 pm

    Congratulations Matt Dawn and the girls Emily and Jayden. Each of you have done
    a wonderful job. I know it’s a hard job and discouraging sometimes, but knowing you
    you look ahead and pray and work hard for the best to come. Matt has always worked hard. He doesn’t mind tackling anything. I’m so very proud of my family. His brothers Steve, Mark and his Father help him when they can. They are a wonderful family and they have lots of friends. I am so thankful to my heavenly father Yahweh for allowing me to have this family.

  7. Patsy Green on October 3rd, 2013 4:36 pm

    Congratulations, Matt and family!

  8. Terri Sanders on October 3rd, 2013 4:21 pm

    WAY TO GO MATT!!!!

  9. Paula Byrd on October 3rd, 2013 4:00 pm

    Congratulations again, Matt and Dawn!

  10. mary carter on October 3rd, 2013 3:27 pm

    I am so proud of matt, dawn, and my sweet grandbabies. Matt and his brothers have always worked had. I am so glade that matt has a wife that stands by him and works very hard with him. They are teaching their girls that god is first, family, and work. I want to thank each of you for the love each of you have shown them. Nanny and poppy carter loves y’all.

  11. DANNY on October 3rd, 2013 3:19 pm

    Good job to the both of you. This is the hardest working couple I know.

  12. The Killams on October 3rd, 2013 2:27 pm

    Congratulations! Love driving by your “garden” in Byrneville and watching how great everything grows-and we know it is no accident. Great to see all your hard work paying off! (your mom drove our children to middle school and I knew they were safe w/ her). Proud of ya’ll!

  13. why850 on October 3rd, 2013 1:23 pm

    This is a prime example of hardworking American citizens.
    I’ve know the whole family for years, they put God first, family then others and their job. They are wonderful people and were raised right. Lance & Mary Carter you deserve a pat on the back- I love you all. ;) Heather

  14. Trudie Johnson on October 3rd, 2013 11:03 am

    So happy to see this family get this recognition! Besides being a great farming family, they are all-around great people. They were all raised to be hard-working and honest citizens! Love you guys! Love those sweet girls, too! Congrats!
    Ms. Trudie and JB

  15. Nathan on October 3rd, 2013 9:42 am

    Congratulations Matt and Dawn and family! You serve our community and our church. You make your pastor proud! Love you guys!

  16. Don Dixon Jr. on October 3rd, 2013 9:21 am

    Awesome job folks…

  17. former schoolmate on October 3rd, 2013 9:16 am

    Congratulations Matt & Family! Growing up Matt was always a hard worker and it’s paid off for them! What a great example to set for their daughters and the rest of the community! I will have to find the produce stand and stop by and support the Carters.

    Becki (Brooks) Kelley

  18. Sarah on October 3rd, 2013 9:11 am

    Congratulations! That is awesome. I remember Matt from High School.

  19. Molino wife on October 3rd, 2013 8:16 am

    How very nice for the Carters’. Where is the produce stand? I will look for them at the market, too.

  20. Ariel Hogue on October 3rd, 2013 8:02 am

    I’m so proud of my sister and the family. Those are some of the best people I know. I wish I could be there to watch them grow but unfortunately I’m stationed in Japan. I wish my sis and nieces and brother in law the very best. They deserve this !!!

  21. cara jarman on October 3rd, 2013 7:49 am

    Matt and Dawn , I am Dawn’ carter mother and Matt Cater is Larry and I son in law.He is a good man and dawn she is my baby girl. We are so proud of them and are grandbaby’s we love them so! We love all of them. I am so glad that Dawn has her a good man. They work hard! God Bless Them! They love what they do.This Pic’re look’s good!

  22. Stacey Calloway on October 3rd, 2013 7:37 am

    Congratulations, way to go!

  23. Leona & Glen Black on October 3rd, 2013 6:57 am

    Congulation ,From Aunt JoJoe and Uncle Glen

  24. Candi on October 3rd, 2013 6:31 am

    Congrats Dawn and family!!!!

  25. Willene Bryan on October 3rd, 2013 6:12 am

    Congratulations

  26. Jane on October 3rd, 2013 4:50 am

    Congratulations on a job well done!