Eva Webb discusses farm issues with Dade County potato grower John Alger after a county Farm Bureau board meeting.

Eva Webb is not shy when expressing her positive thoughts about agriculture. The same respect for the industry also appears in her dedication to her job as a Florida Farm Bureau staff member.

An assistant director of Field Services, Webb’s service district includes southeast Florida from Palm Beach County south to Miami-Dade County, as well as Hendry and Glades counties.

She has held this position for two years. Webb previously served as president of the Palm Beach County Farm Bureau.

After having participated as both a volunteer leader and a staff member in the organization, she possesses a unique view of Farm Bureau.

“Even though I thought I knew Farm Bureau and what it was all about, I didn’t realize how hard the staff worked and the duties they carry out behind the scenes,” she explained. “That includes the county executive directors as well as the state staff.”

Webb has adopted the same approach in her district. “I try to do as much as possible in a

dvance to make the volunteers’ participation more enjoyable and less demanding,” she said.
Webb describes her basic assignment as one that calls upon her to function as a resource person for county Farm Bureaus.

“If my counties need something or want to know something, I try to get them that information, or get them in touch with the people who can answer their questions,” she said.
“I try to keep lines of communication open with our county presidents, our boards and our executive directors in counties where we have them. I also encourage them to participate.”

“I like working behind the scenes,” she added. “I don’t need to be on center stage. The focus of our attention should be on our volunteers.”

Lewanna Caruso, executive director of the Palm County Farm Bureau, has known Webb for 15 years and recommended her for the Field Services post.
“She’s probably one of the hardest working people I have ever met,” Caruso stated. “Nothing stops that woman.

“She is a really neat person. I admire her so much. Eva also knows the issues that affect our members,” Caruso added.

“I not only work with her, I consider her one of my dearest friends.”

Eva and her husband, Walter, live in Palm Beach County but own a farm in Georgia. Their son, Walter Jr., 27, helps his dad manage the farming operation. Their daughters, Christina, 26, and Kimberly, 25, are married and are full-time moms.
Daughter Alexis, a sophomore at Wellington High School, is a member of the school’s first FFA class.

Webb easily sums up her career in the Florida Farm Bureau so far: “I think this is the best job in the whole world. Even though you may not get home until after midnight on some days, it is worth every minute of your time.”