“Who Owns the Land in the EAA? Mapping Out the Future of Water.”
Today we continue to go through the list of ten owners in the Everglades Agricultural Area listed on the Treasure Coast Regional Planning Council’s Map. We discuss #5, outlined in black above, “Wedgworth Farms”–a great history and an inspirational story of a lady.
Ruth Wedgworth came from Michigan to Florida with her husband Herman in 1930. According to the video below, “The lure of developing muck lands attracted them to western Palm Beach County.” She and her husband were doing quite well when Herman was tragically killed in an accident. Ruth was suddenly widowed; she had three children: a four-year old, a ten-year old and a fourteen year old. Rather than “go back home” to Michigan as many may have, Ruth stayed on and built the farm to renowned excellence specializing in celery, fertilizer production, sugar and more: (http://wedgworth.com/who-we-are-and-what-we-do/)
Ruth Wedgworth took over all areas of the business expanding while raising her children and becoming a leader in the community. The video states: “Even though she was petit and soft-spoken the men learned who was in charge…..” Over time she built her farming business to unparalleled excellence winning many prestigious local and state awards. In 1975 she even won “Man of the Year” by the Belle Glade Chamber of Commerce for her unprecedented contributions business in the community. Tongue in cheek but she was better in busniess than most of the men! –“Unheard of” during her era.
In 1988 she was inducted into the Florida Agriculture Hall of Fame and received the Florida Department of State’s “Great Floridian” title. Ruth Springer Wedgeworth passed from this world in 1995. I am glad I learned about this special lady and her remarkable life. I wonder if my Grandfather Henderson ever met her? She even raised money to erect the statue in Belle Glade in honor of those who died in the 1928 hurricane.
This short video from the Florida Agriculture Hall of Fame gives an excellent summary of her accomplishments. Please watch!
(https://vimeo.com/30229363)
Website: http://wedgworth.com
Wiki: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ruth_Springer_Wedgworth
Hall of Fame: http://floridaaghalloffame.org/1988/10/ruth-wedgworth/
Good job Jackie. Very aware of the Wedgeworths. My Mom worked in Celery in 1975 when she came to Belle glade Eula R Clarke, Esq. Law Offices of Eula R. Clarke, P.A. 615 SW St. Lucie Crescent Suite 105 Stuart, Florida 34994 Phone: (772)220-3324 Fax: (772)220-1805 Email: eulaclarkelaw@yahoo.com Statement of Confidentiality: The contents of this e-mail message and any attachments are confidential and are intended solely for addressee. The information may also be legally privileged. This transmission is sent in trust, for the sole purpose of delivery to the intended recipient. If you have received this transmission in error, any use, reproduction or dissemination of this transmission is strictly prohibited. If you are not the intended recipient, please immediately notify the sender by reply e-mail or phone and delete this message and its attachments, if any.
From: Jacqui Thurlow-Lippisch To: eulaclarkelaw@yahoo.com Sent: Monday, October 17, 2016 8:03 PM Subject: [New post] Wedgeworth Farms, The Story of an amazing Lady in the EAA, SLR/IRL #yiv4018095473 a:hover {color:red;}#yiv4018095473 a {text-decoration:none;color:#0088cc;}#yiv4018095473 a.yiv4018095473primaryactionlink:link, #yiv4018095473 a.yiv4018095473primaryactionlink:visited {background-color:#2585B2;color:#fff;}#yiv4018095473 a.yiv4018095473primaryactionlink:hover, #yiv4018095473 a.yiv4018095473primaryactionlink:active {background-color:#11729E;color:#fff;}#yiv4018095473 WordPress.com | Jacqui Thurlow-Lippisch posted: ” “Who Owns the Land in the EAA? Mapping Out the Future of Water.”Today we continue to go through the list of ten owners in the Everglades Agricultural Area listed on the Treasure Coast Regional Planning Council’s Map. We discuss #5, outline” | |
Eula this is a wonderful connection. Thank you!
Hi Jacqui … just weighing to thank you for publishing your stories like this one. I find information from your blogs that I wouldn’t run into ordinarily, and use it on my kayak tours. Thanks again.
That’s great to hear Billy!
Jacqui, please keep up your super work. I look forward to reading what you have to say as this is truly a great education for all of us. Phil Schwartz
Thank you!