A farmer and a rancher, Mary Prevatte lives in Seville, is a widow, and has two adult sons.

She is involved in the citrus and fern industries, and is a Seville historian.

Prevatte has received the Century Pioneer Farm Family award and the Young Farmer and Rancher award.

Choose whether you agree or disagree on a scale of 1-5, with 5 being "Strongly Agree" and 1 being "Strongly Disagree." Add a 1 sentence comment to clarify your stance with the readers.

Keeping Volusia County farmers profitable is an excellent growth-management tool.

5 — Comment: So they can stay in business as a farmer and live off the land.

A top priority for the Soil and Water Conservation District should be getting county funding restored.

5 — Comment: The county is not legally responsible for funding soil and water conservation districts. Under Florida Statute 582, the Florida Department of Agriculture is responsible for assuring the district can complete its work plan.

More tax credits and less regulation are the best way to help local farmers.

5 — Comment: Regulations must be more flexible allowing farmers more choices so Volusia County farmers can thrive.

The Soil and Water Conservation District can do more to educate people about conservation.

5 — Comment: Getting more people involved in the community and schools agriculture programs.

Accomplishment of which you are most proud: Receiving the Century Pioneer Farm Family Award in 1985 from Doyle Conner, Commissioner of Agriculture for the State of Florida. I also received the Young Farmer and Rancher Award from the Volusia County Farm Bureau in 1978.

Public-service goal you have yet to achieve: As a farmer/rancher I want to protect and preserve our natural resources, soil and water, and to keep agriculture alive in Volusia County.

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