There has been some confusion as to whether or not U.S. Sugar is still involved in the public tour business.  The answer is yes, and no.

U.S. Sugar's Corporate Communications Department still gives tours of our company operations to the media and to those groups and organizations that are important in meeting our strategic goals and objectives.

For example, recent tours have been conducted for Congressional staff members (in conjunction with the Florida Sugar Cane League and the Florida sugar industry), South Florida Water Management District Media Relations staff, reporters for the Fort Myers News-Press and the inaugural class of the Everglades Restoration Magnet School at South Plantation High in Fort Lauderdale.

Our goal in touring the District staff was to give them the background information and some hands-on knowledge of many of the Best Management Practices that have been successful in reducing the phosphorus in water leaving our farms.  They must address these issues in their dealings with the media and with environmental organizations, and the tour gave them a better understanding of what is being done on the farms.  This type of interaction also establishes better relationships with the staff at the District who frame these issues for others.

In addition to touring the 50 students from the Everglades Restoration Magnet program, we participated in developing the agricultural module that is studied as part of their Everglades curriculum.  Judy Sanchez, Director of Corporate Communications, gave several presentations tot he environmental science classes at the school.  Research's Dr. David Hall gave a "bug's eye" tour of the Beneficial Insects Laboratory and explained how U.S. Sugar pioneered economical methods of rearing beneficial insects like the Cotesia in our laboratory to control the pest Sugar Cane Borer without the use of pesticides.  These Integrated Pest Management practices not only benefit the environment, they are also more cost-effective than chemicals.  The students found both Dr. Hall and the bugs fascinating.

With the focus of Company tour resources on specific groups and goals, U.S. Sugar no longer conducts sugar tours for the general public.  However, since it is important that South Florida's urban residents understand farming issues, the Clewiston Chamber of Commerce stepped in to conduct these tours.

The bright blue "Sugarland Express" tour bus has become a familiar sight as the Chamber tours the area with Clewiston Inn barkeep and local historian Hunter Latham or Chamber Director Jeff Barwick conducting the tours.  Since October, the Chamber has toured 2,500 people, with tours running through June.  They currently charge $25 per person (group rates available).  For information on these tours, call Jeff Barwick at 863-983-7979.