By Bobby R. Henry, Sr.
In the heart of Belle Glade, where the soil is rich and the sun blesses the fields, there’s a man who has spent a lifetime growing greens that feed his community. Glasco Flowers, now 75, has been farming since he was just 17 years old. What started as clearing fields owned by White landowners—pulling weeds and removing stubborn stumps—became a lifelong passion that never faded.
“I just love to do it,” he says with a smile, standing among rows of collards, turnips, and mustard greens. Farming has always been more than just work for Mr. Flowers; it’s his way of life.
After losing his father to cancer, Glasco pushed forward, finding solace in the land. Over the years, he worked for several agricultural companies—Greasier and Son, U.S. Sugar, Double D, and A Duda and Sons—gaining experience and providing for his family. In 1969, he married the love of his life, Loretta, and together they built a home in Belle Glade.
Though he’s officially retired, farming is something he never walked away from. Unlike large-scale farmers with teams of workers, Mr. Flowers tends his acres alone, nurturing each plant with the care of someone who truly loves what they do. His greens are legendary, some of the freshest and most flavorful around.
I first heard about Mr. Flowers through Dan Ford. When I saw the biggest turnip roots, I had ever laid eyes on, I had to ask where they came from. Without hesitation, Dan told me about Mr. Flowers. And if you know Dan Ford, you know he can sell just about anything—so I have no doubt he’ll have some of Mr. Flowers’ greens for sale.
But it’s not just about the produce. Mr. Flowers represents something deeper: a connection to the land, a dedication to hard work, and the joy of doing what you love, no matter your age. His story isn’t just about farming—it’s about resilience, passion, and the quiet legacy of a man who has spent decades feeding his community, one green leaf at a time.
