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	Clay Wilson Citrus Marketing Services

• Clay and son, Von Peyton, take a break on one of the family's prized tractors. "We like to keep them looking as new as when we bought them," Clay says.
• Clay and Von Peyton walk through the same groves where Clay's grandfather first planted trees in the 1930s. It was Clay's late father, Pat's, dream to replant the trees after a freeze had left them dormant in the 1980s.
• Von searches for newly-grown oranges, as his proud father looks on. Von is already learning the ropes to becoming the fourth generation grower in his family.

In the Valencia grove that he considers the showpiece of his operation, it's clear that Clay Wilson is doing more than just inspecting citrus trees. He's surveying his family's rich citrus heritage.

The original groves were planted in the 1930s by his grandfather, Latimer Maxcy, but a major freeze in the 80s paralyzed all the trees from growing fruit. Clay's father, Pat Wilson, had always dreamed of rebuilding the dormant groves, and in the late 90s they replanted trees as beautiful as those before. According to Clay, the dark green leaves let him know he's doing something right, not to mention over 80 years of learning handed down from his father and grandfather.

Latimer Maxcy started his business empire by traveling the railway up and down the East Coast, from Florida to New York. "He'd rent a boxcar and fill it with fruit," Clay recounts, "stopping off at local grocers along the way to drop off a carton here and there. He'd tell them, 'If you like it, give me a call. If you don't, you don't owe me anything.'" His entrepreneurial spirit led Latt to huge success in fruit packing and juicing, and later earned him an induction into the Florida Citrus Hall of Fame.

In 1971, Clay's father took over the family business and served for 37 years as CEO. As Pat raised his children in the operation, Clay said he never doubted his role. "Dad had a plan for each of us, and I was groomed for the citrus side." As a teenager, he spent summers working in the groves, learning every basic job in the operation.

Today he oversees the citrus division of Latt Maxcy Corporation, one of the most geographically diverse citrus operations in the state, with groves in 8 counties. But even as the business has grown, the family environment remains. Clay's desire is to carry on his late father's love for his employees and their community. "Our groves have provided steady jobs not only for our family, but many families that live in the community," he says. "Our employees are extended members of our family, and we owe a great debt to them for any success we have had. It's true, we aren't as small as we used to be, but we like it to feel that way."

In fact, his family's legacy isn't the only one within the company—some of the employees are second generation. The first employee Clay hired in 1985, Santos Franco, still works there today. "We're growing old together," Clay jokes.

Just like he roots his company in good people, he also believes his groves are only as good as their potential to produce quality Florida orangesIs Your Juice Imported?
Find out where your juice comes from.. "My dad always said that you must be prepared for the best crop ever. With that, you can always be in the position to reap from the harvest." Naturally, better fruit leads to better orange juice.

Clay uses innovative growing and fertilizing techniques to keep the land as good for his crops as it was for the first plantings of his forefathers. "I have always enjoyed taking a piece of land and replanting it with modern methods to see the differences that can be accomplished," he says.

But the most helpful tool that Clay finds in his own business is one that modern science could never replace. It's the fortitude and diligence he learned a long time ago from his father and grandfather. "There is no ease of entry or exit in this type of business," he admits. "Through patience comes knowledge. And hopefully, it comes in a way that you can apply in a positive manner."

Being the grandson and son of such pioneers in the industry is never lost on him, and though they are no longer here to guide him as a citrus growerWant to show your support?
Post an orange in our virtual grove., the context of his family's values is as striking as the trees around him. As he watches his own son Von Peyton darting between the trees in one of his family's first groves, he can't help but speculate about what his grandfather would say if he saw the continued success of his family vision.

"He'd be very proud," he says. "Proud of our spirit to grow."