Orsenigo Appointed To Sugar Cane Growers Cooperative Board

BELLE GLADE, Fla., Aug. 19, 2011 -- Paul R. Orsenigo was appointed to the Board of Directors of Sugar Cane Growers Cooperative at its August 18, 2011 Board meeting filling the unexpired term ending January 2013 held by the recently deceased Fritz Stein, Jr.

Orsenigo, 54, was born in West Palm Beach and raised in Belle Glade. He graduated from the University of Florida (UF) in 1979 with a Bachelor of Science degree in agriculture. He knew he wanted to be a farmer since he was nine years old following his father, Dr. Joseph Orsenigo (a prominent UF researcher who also managed the Florida sugarcane breeding program) through the farm fields of the Glades. Paul credits his parents Joe and Mary for instilling in him a desire to be a productive and giving member of the community.

Paul's agricultural career started by following up on a Newsweek article about Herb and Sue Jennings' wheat harvesting operation. He gave them a call on a whim and the next thing he knew he was headed to Texas where he spent the next six months on a wheat harvesting combine crew from Texas to Montana. He considers the Jennings his mentors that played a significant role as he began his career in agriculture. "They taught me the value of hard work, how to improvise, how to be efficient while being a good family man taking care of their three children," said Orsenigo. "Working in a different part of the country, with different crops and practices helped hone my mechanical and practical skills."

Orsenigo returned to Belle Glade on Christmas Eve in 1979 and began working with local vegetable and sugarcane growers. He formed his own company in 1985 and became a member of the Cooperative in 1994. Orsenigo Farms grows sugarcane and rice. He is also involved in other farming ventures that grow lettuce and other leaf crops, fresh market green beans, baby spinach and wild arugula. Paul is an active member in the Glades and agricultural community. He currently sits on the Florida Fruit and Vegetable Association Board and Executive Committee, the UF- IFAS Agricultural Advisory Committee and the Bank of Belle Glade Board of Directors. He is a former long term board member of the Belle Glade Housing Authority, Glades Day School, Western Palm Beach County Farm Bureau, Ag in the Classroom and chairman of the Florida Vegetable Exchange. His son Derek, a 2009 UF college of agriculture graduate, joined him in the family farming business last year.

In accepting the appointment to the Board Orsenigo said, "I'm honored to be asked to serve on the Board. We know that Fritz will never be replaced, I only hope to play an active role in helping to contribute to the continued success of the Cooperative."

Stein served on the Board for 50 years before his death in July. The Board passed a resolution honoring Stein for his dedicated leadership and many contributions to the Cooperative and other agricultural interests in April.

"We welcome new, 'young' blood stepping up to the plate and taking on leadership roles," said Cooperative President George H. Wedgworth. "I've watched Paul grow up, raise his family and become a successful farmer. We are pleased to have Paul join the Board."

Orsenigo also has a daughter, Cindy who is a senior at Auburn University majoring in audiology speech pathology.