Honoring Teena M. Borek

HONORING TEENA M. BOREK -- (Extensions of Remarks - December 06, 2004)

Mr. MARIO DIAZ-BALART of Florida. I would like to rise in order to honor Teena M. Borek-the 2004 Woman of the Year in Agriculture. She is a pioneer in the agriculture industry and an incredible example to young women throughout America.

When her husband tragically died in 1980, Teena decided to run their farm and became the only female vegetable farmer in Miami-Dade County. Impressively, she was able to successfully run the farm while raising two young toddlers, who are now both involved in agriculture.

In the late 1980s, Teena Borek played a large role in bringing needed computer technology to farms and worked with the Community Bank of Florida to ensure that appropriate financing mechanisms were in place to increase access to this important technology. Not surprisingly, Borek Farms was the first Homestead vegetable farm to use a computer.

Using her knowledge from when she first handled the books at Borek Farms, Teena also helped implement an accounting program for farms that is still in use today.

Her achievements in advancing agricultural crops is also unparalleled. Teena became the first Miami-Dade County farmer to use the linear irrigation system and Borek Farms had the first commercially grown Florida 7862 tomato.

One of her greatest achievements, however, is the impact she has had on young women. As a female pioneer in Florida agriculture, she has paved a path for young women in an industry that has largely been dominated by men. Currently, she is serving as the second female President of the Dade County Farm Bureau and has mentored many young women, including the current executive director of the Farm Bureau.

I have had the honor of visiting with Teena and learning about the many achievements she has made for Florida's agriculture industry. After getting to know her and better understand the work of Steven Borek Farms, it seems clear that Teena's contribution to Florida agriculture will be understood well beyond our lifetime.

She may be most recognized for her work in Miami-Dade County, but her achievements have impacted the entire state of Florida. While advancing the entire industry through technological expansion, she paved the path for generations of women hoping to enter the industry.

I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring and congratulating Teena M. Borek on being named the 2004 Woman of the Year in Agriculture by the Florida Farm Bureau.