Strawberry farmers in Florida have a long history of supporting our local community. Every March, in conjunction with the Florida Strawberry Festival, our growers participate in an event we call the “Best Flat Competition.” Growers bring their best berries to be judged on flavor, size, color, and other key attributes.
Winning boxes are auctioned to raise scholarship money for very deserving local students. We have generated more than $400,000 in scholarships over the past 31 years with the help of this competition.
The Florida Strawberry Growers Association has awarded hundreds of thousands of dollars in scholarships since 1983. Scholarship applications are ready for pick up or download beginning in June each year and are usually due by the middle of September that same year.
The Florida Strawberry Growers Association offers scholarships to encourage young men and women to continue their education beyond high school. The committee will determine the amount of the scholarship, but none will be less than $500.00.
Eligible students must be an enrolled college undergraduate or a high school graduate and submit a letter of intent to attend college. You can find more information on our scholarship program here.
2014 BEST FLAT COMPETITION |
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February 28, 2014 – Swine Sale |
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| 1st Place | Grower – Fancy Farms, Inc. | $900.00 |
| Handler – Wish Farms | ||
| Buyer – Wish Farms | ||
| 2nd Place | Grower – Mike Lott Farms | $700.00 |
| Handler – C & D Fruit & Vegetable | ||
| Buyer – Highland Package Solutions | ||
| 3rd Place | Grower – Simmons Farms | $500.00 |
| Handler – Wish Farms | ||
| Buyer – Wish Farms | ||
| Total Swine Sale | $2,100.00 | |
March 2, 2014 – Plant Sale |
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| 1st Place | Grower – Fancy Farms, Inc. | $500.00 |
| Handler – Wish Farms | ||
| Buyer – Wish Farms | ||
| 2nd Place | Grower – Mike Lott Farm | $550.00 |
| Handler – C & D Fruit & Vegetable | ||
| Buyer – Rick Lott | ||
| 3rd Place | Grower – Simmons Farms | $250.00 |
| Handler – Wish Farms | ||
| Buyer – Wish Farms | ||
| Total Plant Sale | $1,300.00 | |
March 8, 2014 – Steer Sale |
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| 1st Place | Grower – Simmons Farms | $1,000.00 |
| Handler – Wish Farms | ||
| Buyer – Wish Farms | ||
| 2nd Place | Grower – Daniel Gutierrez Farm | $500.00 |
| Handler – Gulf Coast Produce | ||
| Buyer – Crop Protection Services | ||
| 3rd Place | Grower – Mike Lott Farm | $1,000.00 |
| Handler – C & D Fruit & Vegetable | ||
| Buyer – Mike Lott Farm | ||
| Total Steer Sale | $2,500.00 | |
| Total 2014 Sales | $5,900.00 | |