Leadership
Sandra Reyes
I have been connected to agriculture my entire life. Some of my earliest memories are of picking oranges alongside my family and hearing my dad’s firm words, “Que se oiga el bote, mija,” urging me to work hard and stay focused.
Growing up, my days were split between school during the week and helping my family on the weekends, teaching me the importance of strong values and a tireless work ethic. After high school, I pursued a degree in elementary education, balancing my passion for learning with the foundation of hard work instilled in me by my upbringing.
In 1999, as the citrus industry faced significant challenges, my husband and I transitioned into watermelon harvesting—a family endeavor that allowed us to travel together during the summer. While I was teaching, my husband led crews in the fields, and together, we instilled the same work ethic in our four boys. Over the years, they worked alongside us, learning the value of hard labor while pursuing their own educational and professional goals. Each of them has grown into success stories we’re deeply proud of, reflecting the values that guide both our family and our business.
In 2012, my husband began growing his own watermelons, and seven years ago, I left my teaching career to join the family business full-time. Now, I am thrilled to partner with my sister-in-law, Maria Carmen Ramos, combining our shared experience in farming and harvesting to lead Real Sweet Melons, LLC.
Together, we bring our journey full circle, channeling decades of knowledge and hard work into a business that delivers fresh, flavorful watermelons while honoring the values and traditions that define us. From the fields to your table, our watermelons reflect the heart, dedication, and hard work our family has poured into them.
It’s an honor to bring a little bit of our story to your home, one watermelon at a time.
President
Maria Carmen Ramos
As a first-generation Mexican-American, I was raised in a small rural agricultural town, where my family worked as migrant farmworkers. Watching my parents labor tirelessly in the fields to build a better life in a new country taught me the value of perseverance and sacrifice. Working alongside my parents and siblings instilled in me a deep sense of responsibility and a commitment to honoring the values my family lived by.
Guided by my mother’s encouragement, I pursued higher education and earned a business degree, aspiring to explore entrepreneurial opportunities. Education became a cornerstone of our family, and I have instilled its importance in my children and grandchildren. All three of my children not only pursued but completed their college education and are now thriving in their respective fields—a source of immense pride for us. Their success is a testament to the values of hard work, perseverance, and determination passed down through generations.
Motivated by these experiences, I pursued various entrepreneurial ventures, including running a clothing store, a Mexican grocery store, and a restaurant. At the same time, I actively supported my husband’s harvesting and farming business. While he led the crews in the fields during harvest, I managed operations at our watermelon packing facility, overseeing the packing process and ensuring quality at every stage. Our children were right there with us, working alongside us during the watermelon seasons, learning firsthand the value of hard work and the pride that comes from being part of a family business.
Today, my business partner, Sandra Reyes, and I have come full circle. Inspired by the opportunity to build upon our lifelong experience in agriculture, we’ve launched Real Sweet Melons, LLC, specializing in distributing high-quality watermelons. This venture reflects our shared passion for harvesting and farming, our cultural heritage, and our combined expertise in business and agriculture.
We’re excited to partner with businesses that share our values and look forward to continuing the tradition of bringing the best of the land to every family’s table.
Vice President
