The Digital Journalist
© John Ficara
Marion County, Florida -- A second-generation farmer, John Burton grows and handpicks Velencia peanuts with the help of his wife, Evelena. Because the peanuts grow on the roots, the farmers must first pull the plant from the soil before picking the shells. The difficult technique strains back muscles and fingers, as evident when Evelena stretches her hand after working in the field for several hours. Says John, "For many years I walked behind horses. Got a tractor and it made it a little easier."