Sun, Nov 22 2009
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Teen’s tomato trade touted Special reportSpecial to the Daily Times “For somebody just getting started, he did a thorough job,” Long said. “He had a plan. He took it upon himself to find a market for all of it. He did all of the work by hand. He solicited the help of friends. I’m very impressed with his resourcefulness.”
Long said he started his processing business with a firm commitment to Kentucky growers. All of his private-label sauces, salsas, apple butter and other products are directly sourced from Kentucky farms. “Alex is 15 now,” Long said. “In 10 years, I may be retired. In 10 years, Alex will be 25 and just the kind of person to take the reins of his own company, processing his own products. His work ethic is what will make the difference.” Long closed the deal with Alex after inspecting the farm and seeing that Alex used city water, drip irrigation and had not used any pesticides in the garden during the growing season. In fact, Alex and Ryan are now linking up with Michael Fitzgerald at KDA to see if the entire operation can be certified organic, beginning with the plants and fertilizer in the greenhouse next season. Alex plans to use the money from Long’s purchases for college, where he wants to major in agriculture. Long was a key supplier of one of the single largest transactions in Kentucky Proud’s history when Save-A-Lot ordered four tractor-trailer loads of Long’s salsa for its 102 Kentucky stores. Alex’s tomatoes will be part of the product. The tomatoes also will go to a major partnership of restaurants in northern Kentucky that are launching a series of retail sauces, salsas and special recipes. Alex traces the hard work of farming to grandparents who raised tobacco in Scott and Jessamine counties, starting with mules. Long said he has a soft spot for future farmers like Alex and anyone else in the business now. “My parents were farmers, but they had to give it up and go to the city to work,” Long said. 
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