December 9, 2010, Salinas, CA – The sound of the auctioneer’s gavel was music to the ears of some aspiring college students, at the Florida Strawberry Grower’s Association (FSGA) 28th annual “Strawberry Jam” awards banquet. It took place at the Red Rose Inn, Plant City, Florida, Saturday, December 4th, 2010. The evening was dedicated to honoring Florida’s best strawberry growers and presenting special scholarships to deserving students.
But one item that the “Jam’s” agenda did not mention was a surprise live auction to help fund the Rodney Hutto Memorial Scholarship. The single item up for bid was a custom made Musical Harvest, strawberry themed electric guitar, donated by Colorful Harvest, an FSGA member and producer of premium Florida strawberries. “Rodney Hutto was a friend to Colorful Harvest and the Florida strawberry industry, and we wanted to do something special to honor his memory,” said Doug Ranno, COO and managing partner of Colorful Harvest.
The guitar was made to order by Musical Harvest from fine hardwoods including a deep red maple body, a green maple headstock, and a variegated green cocobolo kalic fingerboard. While a past scholarship recipient, Jerod Parker, rocked the guitar on stage, attendees rocked the bidding. When the auctioneer’s gavel came down, the guitar auction had raised over $3,200 for the scholarship fund.
“Colorful Harvest grows amazing strawberries near Bel Glade, Florida,” said Ranno. Their Florida crop gives a big boost to their year around berry program and they have substantially increased their Florida acreage for 2011.
Colorful Harvest also grows bush berries, melons and colorful heirloom style produce under the Colorful Harvest and Green Giant Fresh brands, including: strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, blackberries, cantaloupes, honeydews & athenas, Ruby JewelTM sweet red corn, Rainbow Crunch CarrotsTM, orange, purple, green & white cauliflower, violet broccoli, purple artichokes, Blue Lake style beans, and MORE.
Source: Colorful Harvest
