Vallot Farm wins Abbeville Rotary Farm of the Year Award for 2011

In an industry where more and more families are getting out of farming, there is one Vermilion Parish family that is surviving.

The Vallot family from Gross Isle has been farming since the 1920’s and the way it looks, there is no slowing them down.

On Wednesday, the Abbeville Rotary Club honored the Vallots by naming the family the 2011 Rotary Farmer of the Year.

It is an award that the Rotary Club has been giving to parish farmers for the last 26 years.

The Vallots were on hand to accept the award.

“I want to thank the Rotary Club for presenting Vallot Farm this award,” said Donnie Vallot. “I also want to thank the LSU Ag Center.”

Also on hand to accept the award was William Vallot Sr., who purchased most of the land the Vallots farm sugar cane on today.

The Vallot Farm plants 3,300 acres of sugar cane each year. They employ six full time workers and rely on as many as 12 migrant workers.

According to the Vallots, the long lasting success of the family farm operation can be attributed to dedication, hard work, sound practical business decisions and attention to details.

Helping run the Vallot Farm are Monty, Donnie and Donnie’s son, Ricardo.