2003 Posthumous Agricultural Award
Edward Postell Porcher
Mr Porcher came to Merritt Island in 1884. Mr Porcher was engaged in the cultivation of 350 acres of citrus fruit production. He also operated his own citrus processing and packing business and was widely known for his many accomplishments. Mr. Porcher was very innovative and was the first citrus producer in the Indian River district t
Mr Porcher came to Merritt Island in 1884. Mr Porcher was engaged in the cultivation of 350 acres of citrus fruit production. He also operated his own citrus processing and packing business and was widely known for his many accomplishments. Mr. Porcher was very innovative and was the first citrus producer in the Indian River district to commercially wash and polish citrus fruit by mechanical means. He held basic patent on the most widely used electric fruit marketing machine in existence. He also held the basic patent on special fruit trucking facilities for handling . In 1880 's and 1890's Mr. Porcher established the Deerfield Groves on Merritt Island and constructed a citrus packinghouse on the Indian River in Cocoa. Mr. Porcher founded the Indian River Orange Grove Association in 1891 and the Lake Worth Pineapple Growers Association in 1895. He was also co founder of the Florida Citrus Commission. Because of the impact of his innovative development and leadership in Florida's Citrus Industry Mr. Porcher was posthumously recognized and honored for his contributions to the growth and economy of Brevard County agriculture.