EP 11: Jason & Amanda Watts - 2024 Florida Farmer of the Year
Release Date: 01/05/2024
Rural Recharge
Our guest joining us today is Sarah Solano of Cedar Key Aquaculture Farms, located in Levy County. Cedar Key Aquaculture Farms is a family run wholesale operation, where they harvest upwards of 25,000 clams per week. You can find these clams in groceries from Miami all the way to Massachusetts. Visit to learn how you can get involved in Florida Agriculture.
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Our guest joining us today is Mrs. Jaime Jerrels. Mrs. Jerrels serves as the Senior Director of Policy and Outreach for Florida Farm Bureau. Our conversation today will detail how Mrs. Jerrels serves our members of the Florida Farm Bureau Federation and advances the Voice of Ag. Visit to learn how you can get involved in Florida Agriculture.
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Our guest joining us today is David O’Farrell of Ocala Stud, located in Marion County. Mr. O’Farrell manages and owns with his family Ocala Stud, where they train and breed world renowned Thoroughbreds. He serves as the Thoroughbred Owners and breeders Association Board of Trustees chair, as a steward at The Jockey Club and is a member of Breeder’s Cup Limited. Since 1958 Ocala Stud has bred, raised and sold runners ranked among the best of their divisions in the U.S. and abroad. Visit to learn how you can get involved in Florida Agriculture.
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Our guest joining us today is Mr. Curt Williams. Mr. Williams serves as the Director of Government and Community Affairs for Florida Farm Bureau. Our conversation today will detail how Mr. Williams serves our members of the Florida Farm Bureau Federation and advances the Voice of Ag. Visit to learn how you can get involved in Florida Agriculture.
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Our guest joining us today is Dr. Michael Dukes, Director of the UF/IFAS Center for Land Use Efficiency. Among the many projects and causes that Dr. Dukes is a part of, he specializes on water use efficiency in irrigation systems. Dr. Dukes and his team are saving millions of gallons of water per year through their systems, all backed by research. Visit to learn how you can get involved in Florida Agriculture.
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Our guest joining us today is Jared Lanier. Mr. Lanier serves as the Director of Field Services for Florida Farm Bureau. Our conversation today will detail how Mr. Lanier and the Field Services staff advance the Voice Of Ag in their roles at Florida Farm Bureau Federation. Visit to learn how you can get involved in Florida Agriculture.
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Our guest joining us today is Mrs. Victoria Hunter, a generational nursery grower with FernTrust Incorporated and seasoned member of the Florida Farm Bureau Federation Board of Directors. Victoria is also the Chair of the Women’s Leadership Committee and dedicated to the success of the Voice of Agriculture. Visit to learn how you can get involved in Florida Agriculture.
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Our guest joining us today are Mrs. Staci Sims and Mrs. Liza Bradford. Mrs. Sims serves as the COO of Florida Farm Bureau, and Mrs. Liza Bradford serves as the CFO of Florida Farm Bureau. Our conversation today will detail how they advance the Voice Of Ag in their roles at Florida Farm Bureau Federation. Visit to learn how you can get involved in Florida Agriculture.
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Our guest today is Mr. Zippy Duvall, a farmer from Georgia, a family man and has served as president of the American Farm Bureau Federation since 2016. He is a third-generation farmer. Prior to being elected AFBF president, he was president of the Georgia Farm Bureau and served on the AFBF board of directors. In 1987, he also served on the AFBF board as Young Farmer Committee chair. He has helped defeat misguided regulations, shepherd new trade agreements, and make certain farmers and ranchers are supported through natural disasters and the ongoing impacts of supply chain disruptions and...
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Our guest joining us today is Mr. Scott Kirouac, a longtime friend of Florida Farm Bureau and a strong advocate for agriculture. Mr. Kirouac serves on the Highlands County Farm Bureau Board of Directors and received a Distinguished Service Award in 2023. Scott Kirouac successfully founded and runs a non-profit organization called “Ag Angels”. Visit to learn how you can get involved in Florida Agriculture.
info_outlineToday's episode is a conversation with Jason Watts, Florida Farm Bureau Farmer of the Year and his wife Amanda. Their family at Florida Best Farms, Inc. grows blueberries in Polk County, Florida along with muscadine grapes and beef cattle. Mr. Watts gives a complete overview of their family farm along with history, wisdom and a positive outlook for the future of agriculture in Florida. We look forward to seeing the Watts in Tallahassee to advocate for agriculture on Farm Bureau Day, January 16.
Visit FloridaFarmBureau.org to learn how you can get involved in Florida agriculture.