After coming to America from Sicily in 1918, John Torrese toiled in New York City to save enough for his dream -- buying land upstate to grow lettuce and onions.

Following that fertile path, his son John James Torrese eventually established the John Torrese Farms in 1977 deep in South Dade, where he sometimes rose as early as 4 a.m. to tend to his crops seven days a week.

And from elementary school onward, his sons John Clinton, Mark and Eric farmed alongside him, whether building wooden crates, going to market ordriving the truck throughfields as pickers loaded for harvest.

Today the Torreses are considered among the county's best farmers: The Dade County Farm Bureau recently recognized the family's TNT Farms and its brokerage and shipping arm, Quality Kid Produce, as the Farm Family of the Year.

``They are very effective family farmers, very concerned for food safety,'' said farm bureau executive director Katie Edwards. ``I'd give them an A+ when it comes to overall operations and management. They really are very hands on with the family being involved in all aspects of operation and TNT is probably the most successful vegetable farm in Miami Dade County.''

``We were born and raised to be farmers,'' said Eric, 46, of Coral Gables.

He added that all three brothers disregarded their dad's advice to attend college and find a more stable career.

Indeed, after finishing high school the three brothers promptly joined the family business, growing it to double the size.

Known as TNT Farms since 1992, the business now cultivates about 2,000 acres of squash and beans in South Dade and White Springs, 50 miles north of Gainesville. The family employs about 200 harvesters and 25 others.

Eric credited his father, John, who is now 86 and lives in Homestead, for leading the business to thrive through his strong work ethic, and he credited their mother, the late Arlene Torrese, for managing everything at home with the boys and daughter Cindy Torrese Benn.

``It was a family effort. My mom was as much a part of this business as him,'' Eric said. ``Both of them were always a great example of hard work and how it pays off.''

The parents successfully taught ``work hard and be honest and everything else works itself out,'' added John who lives in Pinecrest.

Today, Eric directs farming while John manages sales and their brother Mark handles shipping.

The brothers gladly work seven days a week -- at least during their growing season, August through June.

On typical days, Eric scours the fields by truck, driving some 150 miles starting by 7 a.m. to detect any early signs of pests or disease and oversee harvesters and tractors.

Catching problems early is critical, he said.

Farm Bureau's Edwards describes him and his family as astute farmers -- yet humble.

``They are the kind of people that don't look for the spotlight and recognition and they do things in their own private way to support people that work for them. They are good people,'' she said.

Fellow Dade farmer John Alger admires their work ethic.

``When I got out of college and came back, they were a small operation, very hungry sons and a hard-working family. They have built their way into a dynasty of year-round production,'' he said.

``They are just a tremendous success story.''

They had the opportunity to sell their land at a ripe price in 2005 but only sold a little and soldiered on, Alger added.

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