‘Love started it all:’ WP Rawl celebrates 95th anniversary
Leafy greens grower, processor and shipper WP Rawl, Pelion, S.C., recently celebrated its 95th year in business.
The company recognized the milestone Jan. 25, hosting more than 200 employees, vendors and other guests at EdVenture Children’s Museum in Columbia, S.C.
The company’s creators are Walter and Ernestine Rawl according to a news release.
“Love started it all,” Ashley Rawl, vice president of sales, marketing and product development, and third-generation family member, said in the release. “The story goes that after their wedding, Walter and Ernestine, my grandparents, planted their first crop of cabbage. That first planting started it all.”
The company also commemorated the anniversary with a renovated farming exhibit at the EdVenture. The exhibit, known as the Busy Bee Farm, is sponsored by WP Rawl and gives children a hands-on experience to learn about planting, growing and harvesting vegetables.
“Our grandparents valued agriculture and education,” Charles Wingard, vice president of field operations and third-generation family member, said in the release. “The Busy Bee Farm exhibit at EdVenture is an example of one of their legacies that we still honor today.”
The company has changed numerous times throughout its history and has grown to include processing facilities in Pelion and Bunnell, Fla., according to the release.
“Throughout the transformations that made us who we are today, our foundation, the foundation that was laid by Walter and Ernestine still remains,” Rawl said in the release. “We would also like to acknowledge we would not be where we are today without our Rawl family of employees, customers and vendors. Here is to another ninety-five!”
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