Meet Our Blog Writer

Perry Yance

To our Vegetable Farm Manager Perry Yance, there’s nothing like watching crops grow. No stranger to farming, Perry spent his weekends and summers as a boy helping both his grandfather and father on their south Alabama farm, where they grew peanuts and soybeans and raised cows and hogs. He loved the work, and there was never any doubt that he would follow in their footsteps.

He enrolled in the agricultural program at Auburn University with the intention of returning to work on his family’s farm once he received his Bachelor’s degree in Agricultural Science, but poor economic times forced his family to sell the farm before he completed his degree. Between semesters at Auburn, Perry scouted peanuts and soybeans in south Alabama, working closely with the Alabama extension service. The work ethic he learned from both his grandparents and parents coupled with the education and practical experience he gained at Auburn prepared him well for his future career overseeing 6,000 acres of celery, radishes, and head and leaf lettuce at Duda Belle Glade Farms in South Florida.

As our vegetable production manager, Perry is instrumental in communicating with and giving direction to all the key people who accomplish the meticulous tasks of growing and ensuring the quality of our crops. During the busy season, Perry spends most of his days in the celery transplant field making sure the planting crew has everything they need, including properly prepared land, plants, equipment, and water for irrigation. He gives special care and attention to keep varieties separated and oversees the weekly planting of new trial varieties of celery. Celery production is a team effort, and Perry considers himself part of a great team that works efficiently together to produce the highest quality vegetables possible that are enjoyed by people all across the United States and Canada.

In his off hours, Perry enjoys fishing, cheering on his alma mater’s football team, and attending church functions with his wife of 29 years and their two daughters. Check out his Dandy Digest posts for a sneak peek at current and new Duda Fresh products and tips for production practices that help to improve crop quality and yields.