Our Story
The Effie May Agricultural Legacy
The agricultural roots behind Effie May LLC reach back decades, through a family history of farming, produce, cross-border commerce and agricultural innovation.
Effie-May Morton
Growing good, clean food.
Long before organic produce became a mainstream category, Effie-May Morton was developing an agricultural operation built around growing good, clean food. The March 1988 American Health feature records an operation that began with approximately 20 acres and had grown to approximately 450 acres.
At the time, more than 200 acres were devoted to carrots and approximately 15 acres to broccoli. She also grew spinach, leeks, chard, bok choy, cauliflower, radishes, squash and other vegetables, planting year-round.
Her agricultural practices included worm castings, compost, beneficial wasps, fish emulsion and companion planting.
The article also documents an early Mexico connection: two doctors traveled from Mexico seeking organic produce and purchased inspected produce from her in bulk.
The May family's agricultural history reaches back to the 1960s. Present-day Effie May LLC is a distinct legal entity carrying that legacy into modern produce sourcing, cross-border trade, seed development and food-product innovation.
From the Archives
American Health — March 1988
Effie-May Morton and the Roots of an Agricultural Legacy
“People don't realize the satisfaction of growing good, clean food.”
The feature documented her agricultural philosophy, growth from approximately 20 to 450 acres, and an early Mexico connection: doctors from Mexico traveled to her farm seeking organic produce and purchased inspected produce in bulk.
Edward “Eddie” May
Agricultural Entrepreneur • Produce & Seed Innovator • Manager, Effie May LLC
Raised in agriculture by Effie May, Eddie entered the produce business at approximately 19 years old. He developed the Del Sol import-export and seed business, building extensive experience in U.S.–Mexico produce trade, seeds and agricultural innovation.
His work included the grape tomato varieties Navidad and Jolly Elf. He later developed methods for removing grape tomato skins and dehydrating the fruit into a tender, raisin-like product—the foundation for today's NAKED development.
Today, Eddie manages Effie May LLC and is a partner in Wagamama Seeds Holding Company.
Douglas “Doug” Bean
Marketing • Business Development • Strategic Partnerships • Agricultural Innovation
Doug brings decades of marketing, business development, entrepreneurship and new-venture experience. A longtime Southern Nevada resident, he spent approximately a decade in marketing roles with Hilton Hotels and Mirage Resorts before moving into entrepreneurial ventures.
Doug and Eddie have worked together for nearly two decades, combining extensive agricultural and seed experience with marketing, commercialization and strategic partnerships.
Doug handles transportation inquiries, logistics coordination, business-development opportunities, strategic partnerships and commercialization opportunities. He is a partner in Wagamama Seeds Holding Company and is working with Eddie on the continued development of NAKED GRAPE TOMATO RAISINS for planned market introduction in 2027.