What makes Mackensie go? Getting out of the tomato fields

Alexander says his dad still works in the tomato fieldsCLEMSON – Mackensie Alexander grew up in Immokalee, Florida, watching his parents go to work in the region’s tomato fields every morning. It’s back-breaking work, and his dad still gets up every morning to head into the fields to make sure the family makes a living.

It’s the reason Alexander doesn’t mind playing the game he loves. It’s why he doesn’t mind watching film late into the night, or taking notes on everything he sees. Alexander wants his family out of those fields.

Immokalee is the center of the region's agriculture industry, and the area is home to many immigrant and migrant families who work the fields. About 90% of the…