Roberto Ortez was raised in Belle Glade, Florida, where he developed his passion for agriculture. He works full time in the Everglades Agricultural Area (EAA) as Sugarcane Rotational Development Program (SRDP) Ag Supervisor for Florida Crystals. This position allows him to work alongside some of the best farmers in the glades to develop the necessary skills to manage large scale Ag operations. He is also pursuing of a bachelor’s degree in Environmental Management in Agriculture at the University of Florida. Working 12-hour days six days a week on a 40,000-acre farm plus a 10,000-acre organic farm and attending classes online can be challenging. However, the information he has learned regarding soil microbes, nutrient deficiencies, fertilizer application rates, soil science, biogeochemistry, and so on can be practically put to good use while also dealing with people management, land preparation/ cultivation, water control, pest management and most importantly sustainability. Having worked in the EAA for eight years, he believes it is our job to properly manage our natural resources and be good stewards of the land to ensure the longevity of the industry and of the ecosystem.

Roberto is not seeking full time employment at this time.