Pelion, S.C. – WP Rawl, the premier grower, processor and shipper of leafy greens celebrated 95 years of business this past Saturday, January 25th. The farming legacy began the day founders Walter and Ernestine Rawl were married in 1925.
“Love started it all,” said Ashley Rawl, vice president of sales, marketing and product development, and third generation family member. “The story goes that after their wedding Walter and Ernestine, my grandparents, planted their first crop of cabbage. That first planting started it all.”
The company also commemorated the anniversary with a newly renovated Busy Bee Farm exhibit sponsored by WP Rawl at EdVenture Children’s Museum in Columbia, South Carolina. The hands-on exhibit teaches children about planting, growing and harvesting farm fresh vegetables. There is educational content included to showcase how vegetables make it from the farm to the grocery store shelves.
“Our grandparents valued agriculture and education,” said Charles Wingard, vice president of field operations, and third generation family member. “The Busy Bee Farm exhibit at EdVenture is an example of one of their legacies that we still honor today.”
WP Rawl has changed throughout their 95 years in business with growth in farming diversity and technologies, closing the fruit and vegetable cannery in the 70’s and adding processing facilities in Pelion, SC and Bunnell, FL. The company adapted throughout the years and will continue to adapt and remain the leader it is today in the leafy greens industry.
“Throughout the transformations that made us who we are today, our foundation, the foundation that was laid by Walter and Ernestine still remains,” said Rawl. “We would also like to acknowledge we would not be where we are today without our Rawl family of employees, customers and vendors. Here is to another ninety-five!”
The company also celebrated the milestone anniversary with an event for over 200 employees, customers, vendors and friends hosted at the EdVenture Children’s Museum along with a ribbon cutting for the WP Rawl sponsored farming exhibit.
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About WP Rawl
Dating back to 1925, WP Rawl is a fourth generation family farm which has grown to become a grower/shipper/processor, specializing in year-round bulk and value-added leafy greens and vegetables in the Rawl®, Nature’s Greens® and Palmetto Gardens® brands.
