Juliano Farms – Thank A Farmer

We’ve teamed up with Whites Farm Supply and James Wesley to ‘Thank a Farmer.’ One farmer will be Wesley’s special guest at our Wild West FrogFest and Rodeo June 14th at Herkimer County Fairgrounds. Today we recognize Juliano Farms, nominated by Diana Juliano.

Being a farmer is not just a title, its a lifestyle. Everyone can farm, but it takes a special person to become a farmer. Juliano Farms is more than a business but a tradition that has been passed down from generations.

My grandfather, Joseph Juliano started the farm in the 1980's with the help and support of my grandmother Rose Juliano and my father Joe Juliano. When my father and mother met, she had the tough decision of carrying on with her dream of becoming a teacher, or taking over the business with my dad. She chose to become a farmer.

People really don’t think about farming as a "job" but in reality without farming, you would not eat. People don’t think about the hard work and agonizing hours put into it. My father is up from sunrise to sunset whether he is plowing the fields or planting the seeds, spraying the crops or laying plastic and irrigation for a better production of product. Not to mention my parents, Deb and Joe, run two produce stands filled with our delicious product. One is located in Utica, NY and the other is located in Whitesboro, NY. People thrive off of our produce. I would say my parents have became very successful with these stands.

When my grandfather passed away 10 years ago, my father was left alone to carry on the tradition of Juliano Farms, and so he did. At the age of 15, a boy named Emir Guso was hired on the farm. Little did my father know that this man would become manager of the farm. Emir is one of the hardest working employees my dad has ever hired. Without him, the farm would not run.

Joe Juliano and his farms have became a big manufacturing system to other farmers as well. Juliano Farms is not only about retail but wholesale as well. My father's product ranges anywhere from local grocery stores, all the way down to markets in NYC. He has made his farm successful and very beneficial.

My father is one of the hardest working people I have ever met. I have never seen anyone as dedicated to something as my father is to farming. He works hard to support his loved ones. From keeping up with the latest technology and transportation, to going above and beyond with making his employees feel like family.

Growing up on the farms I have learned responsibility and I am thankful for that. So as you can see, Juliano Farms is way more than just a name, its a way of life that has brought my family together for years. It's what I know and what I have been brought up with.

Thank you Diana for your nomination and thank you Juliano Farms for what you do everyday. We’ll put you in the random drawing to be James Wesley’s special guests at FrogFest June 13th, so he can ‘Thank a Farmer.’