LUCAMA, NC - With one of the most technologically advanced sweet potato operations in the world, Scott Farms International’s Sonny and Alice Scott got to show off their high-tech automation this past week to some pretty important people.
US Department of Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue, NC Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler, and NC Lieutenant Governor Dan Forest were given the grand tour of Scott Farms while also getting to discuss the importance of technology and a stable on-farm workforce with the industry’s finest.
“The Secretary [Perdue] seemed to be very interested in what we were doing and how we were growing in all areas of the farm,” Scott Farms President Sonny Scott said, according to a press release. “Secretary Perdue, Commissioner Troxler, and the Lieutenant Governor [Dan Forest] toured the fields and packing facility with us and it gave us an opportunity to talk about what the needs of the future would be. Not only for us, but the entire industry. New technologies help some, but our sweet potatoes are hand-harvested. We can innovate in other areas of the farm to streamline the process, but in harvesting, the old way is the best way.”
Scott Farms techniques begin at the plant level with on-farm micropropagation units and direct relationships with universities for research on growing practices and new varieties.
“We work very closely with NC State University to better the industry,” Vice President for Sweet Potato Operations Dewey Scott said. “Currently, we grow several varieties like the Covington, Bonita, and Murasaki to name a few. It allows us to be a primary supplier for our customers and offer them what they need for their customers. Our goal is to be the first place you look for high-quality sweet potatoes that are consistently packed. Add in our capabilities for many added value packs, we believe we fit this area very well.”
The Scott family operates one of the most technologically advanced sweet potato operations in the world which employs many automated processes throughout the operation. “Technology is a necessity in today’s marketplace,” Dewey said. “We have tried to stay on the front side of technology in our operation. As we continue to grow, our need for qualified individuals to operate that technology only increases.”
“It takes a lot of quality people to run our operation,” Sonny continued. “When you look at farming today, technology plays a much bigger role than ever before and we have to have a quality workforce from beginning to end.”
In 2015, Scott Farms began its journey into farm automation with the construction of a 60,000-sq.-ft. packing and grading facility for sweet potatoes. In the two and a half years since the opening of the new facility, an 80,000-sq. ft. environmentally controlled curing and storage facility has also been constructed, increasing the on-farm storage capacity by an additional 600,000 bushels.
Keep up the good work, Scott Farms. For more news like this, AndNowUKnow will continue to bring you the latest.
