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Farm Manager Spotlight: Tony Brunnemann

Where are you from?  

Mcallen, Texas 

When did you start becoming interested in agriculture? 

I started with Rogers Produce, I was dispatch. They needed someone there converting. They needed someone there to convert that cabbage line into a cantaloupe line. They wanted someone out in the field with the packing crew. That’s were it all started. 

How long have you worked at Little Bear Produce? 

I’ve worked at Little Bear Produce for 29 years. 

What are your responsibilities as a farm manager? 

Growing crops and helping with the harvesting. Mostly at the Edinburg location (Little Bear) but also at other locations when they need help. 

What’d do you think is the most challenging part of your job? 

Having a lot of “plannings” and coordinating with springs and watering. The weather has a lot to do with the planning process, so you have to stay on top of the forecast every day. 

What’s do you think is the most rewarding part of your job? 

Watching the harvesting. Sometimes its hard to watch because its so pretty. There’s so many different colors out here so sometimes its hard. The different plantings and colors. It’s beautiful. 

What is the best advice you’ve received? 

Like your job. Stay on top of things. Never give up and have lots of patience. Keep going and keep a positive attitude. 

What does an average day look like? 

I wake up around 5 

Get here around 6 — 6:30 

Start getting the tractors ready and start setting them up where they need to go 

Plannings, sprayings or cultivating or watering. 

What’s happening in the afternoon? 

Getting ready for the night time 

Watering or plantings 

Basically setting things up for the next day 

I leave from 5:30-7 / 7 days a week 

Saturdays I work all day and on Sundays I try to leave around noon 

3 words to describe your roll at Little Bear? 

Growing beautiful crops 

What is your favorite crop? And what way do you like to eat them? 

Eggplant, arugula and radishes. 

I like eggplant lasagna and eggplant parmesan. 

Of course arugula salads. 

Radishes raw, 

Maroon carrots out of the field. We will have them in December.