A Century of Faith, Family & Farming
by Kristi Antley
If you live in or near Lexington County there is a 90% chance that your taste buds have been delighted with fresh produce from the fields of Walter P. Rawl and Sons, Inc.© (also known as WP Rawl). Walter and Ernestine Rawl began the produce business long before the dawn of “agritech” or precision agriculture on a small, humble farm in Gilbert. Sunday, January 25th not only marked 100 years since the initial planting of their flagship cruciferous product, cabbage, but the date was also Walter and Ernestine’s wedding anniversary. Their dedication, sweat, and true grit along with a huge amount of family support led to remarkable success and growth in the industry. Operating on the original foundations of quality, integ- rity, reliability, and excellence, WP Rawl has built and maintained an impeccable reputation for providing the freshest, highest-quality fruits and vegetables in the Midlands since 1925.
To remain current and competitive, thriving companies must adapt, expand, update, and evolve on many levels, from human resources to the final product. State-of-the-art technology, strong family values, commitment, and skilled expertise have allowed WP Rawl to establish a vision for the next generation, guaranteeing relevancy in a constantly changing market. Today there are nine family Rawl members actively involved with the company alongside 750 additional employees, ensuring stability in processing techniques, confidence in procedures and safety, and excellence in the final product. Team members willingly invest considerable time and energy in the company with encouragement from direct leadership and their Caring Team. These leaders strive to promote a purpose-driven culture that fosters a sense of community and shared purpose—each employee is con- sidered a part of the WP Rawl family and is encouraged to “grow” in their career with opportunities for advancement.
In honor of this centennial milestone, the new purpose statement is: “Growing fresh vegetables, our team, and our business, all for the Glory of God”, and its Values are 1) Stewardship—oversee, protect, and grow, 2) Team—people working together, 3) Safety—protect from harm, and 4) Grit—commitment to success. Christine Jackson, Senior Manager of Marketing and Development, is not a Rawl family member and has faithfully been employed by WP Rawl for 22 years. “We have a lot of long-term, dedicated team members who have graciously given the company 10, 20, 30, 40, and 45+ years of outstanding service,” Christine says. “Many of our 30 and 40-year team members grew up with the WP Rawl 3rd generation, living on the same street, playing sports together, riding the school bus together, and sweating beside one another while working in the fields in the summer heat.”
Naturally, being an integral part of a multi-generational farm is a great source of pride and honor. Wayne Rawl is a second-generation family member and WP Rawl’s President; he enjoys being involved in daily operations and harvesting processes. Grateful for his family’s prosperous heritage and sacrifices, Wayne continues to preserve their legacy, encouraging and empowering future generations.
Ashley Rawl, third-generation and VP of Sales, Marketing and Product Development, has been employed by WP Rawl since 1994 and says he was drawn to the business because he has always had a passion for the produce industry. “Providing fresh vegetables is very difficult but very rewarding! I love the people I get to work with every day, and I am very proud to be a part of a healthier America,” he remarks. “We are a vital part of the effort to reduce healthcare costs. As a country we must invest in a healthier lifestyle; it would be pennies on the front end compared to treating chronic disease or sickness.”
Charles Wingard, grandson of Walter and Ernestine Rawl, third-generation, says he was employed by WP Rawl in 1987. “In high school, I wanted to be in athletics,” he explains. “Coming home from school in the summer season, I realized that I did not have a passion for the farm until I was away from it.” Charles has been fully dedicated to the family business and is the VP of Field Operations. He warmly remarks, “I enjoy the people and helping produce a fresh, healthy product.”
Susan Clifton, VP of Finance and Accounting, and Karen Johnson, VP of Human Resources and Administration, serve as third-generation Rawl family members engaged with the monumental growth and evolution of the company. Susan, granddaughter of Walter and Ernestine Rawl, has been with the company for 35 years and was initially attracted by the opportunity to live at home and work with her mother and extended relatives. “I enjoy working with family and a group of diverse teammates and building long-lasting relationships.” She also believes that the intentional purpose and values of the company will guide decisions and actions to ensure that it adheres to the principles that have brought it this far. When asked what she thinks has made the company so successful in Lexington County, Susan quickly responds, “…our vertical integration, continual adaptations, and improvements to processes over the years.”
As you can imagine, a long-term multi-generational farm operation is rare and is often considered a badge of honor. The “4G Program” was created to insure the “fourth generation” integrating seamlessly into the business assisting with placing the individual to insure they can use their God-given gifts to better business. Although WP Rawl continues to be a leader in the produce industry with facilities in Florida, Pennsylvania, and Michigan, its core is, has always been, and will always be, in Lexington County. “We are proud and honored to have served the people of Lexington County and the surrounding communities for a century,” agrees Ashley Rawl. “This landmark milestone is a testament to our unwavering commitment to providing high-quality produce and exceptional service to our customers.”
New for 2025, WP Rawl introduced a line of complete sauté kits for a quick, easy, side dish packed with flavor to deliver a premium restaurant-quality side dish in 15 minutes or less, available at your local Walmart. Also, an exclusive book of heirloom recipes and creations is now available on their website, and the introduction of the newly expanded WP Rawl exhibit at EdVenture Children’s Museum in downtown Columbia is open for all to enjoy.
