EP 11: Jason & Amanda Watts - 2024 Florida Farmer of the Year
Release Date: 01/05/2024
EP 21: Jim Alderman - 2025 Florida Farmer of the Year
Rural Recharge
Our guest joining us today is Mr. Jim Alderman, an organic vegetable farmer in South Florida. Mr. Alderman is unique in that most of his farm is certified organic and most of the produce stays local within the state of Florida. Mr. Alderman is a long-time friend of Farm Bureau and our 2025 Florida Farm Bureau Farmer of the Year. Visit to learn how you can get involved in Florida Agriculture.
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EP 20: Ryan Jenkins - Growing M&Ms
Rural Recharge
Our guest joining us today is Mr. Ryan Jenkins, a 4th generation row crop farmer from the edge of Florida in Santa Rosa County. If you’ve run across any of Jenkins’ Farm social media you can see how important this industry and way of life is to Mr. Jenkins. In 2020 he won the Florida Farm Bureau Federation Volunteer Communicator Award, and he is still going strong being a Voice of Ag. Ryan, thank you for being with us today. Visit to learn how you can get involved in Florida Agriculture.
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EP 19: Carrie Baker - How are you?
Rural Recharge
Our guest joining us today is Ms. Carrie Baker, a Ph. D. Candidate at the University of Florida Department of Agricultural Education and Communication. Ms. Baker is part of a fourth generation farming family, specializing in cattle and row crops. The topic of mental health in the farming community is personal to Carrie and she hopes to see her family and Florida Agriculture thrive for years to come. Visit to learn how you can get involved in Florida Agriculture.
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EP 18: Kelly Aue - A Partnership that CARES
Rural Recharge
Kelly Aue, Suwannee River Partnerships Outreach Coordinator, joins President Jeb Smith on the newest episode of Rural Recharge. The Suwannee River Partnership works to address water quantity and quality issues in the Suwannee and Santa Fe river basin. Kelly's role in accomplishing that goal includes managing funding partners, stakeholder groups, and comunicating through various means to the public about the partnership. Ms. Aue works out of the UF/IFAS North Florida Research and Education Center (NFREC) in Live Oak and is a huge part in planning our annual Suwannee CARES event. Visit ...
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EP 17: Kevin Lussier - Going Far with YF&R
Rural Recharge
Kevin Lussier, AFBF Young Farmers & Ranchers Chair, joins President Jeb S. Smith on the newest episode of Rural Recharge. Lussier owns and operates Hawthorne Dairy in Alachua County. In 2021, Lussier and his wife, Shelby, were the Florida Farm Bureau Achievement in Agriculture state winners. In this episode, Lussier shares his journey to becoming a dairy farmer, his involvement with the Florida Farm Bureau YF&R leadership group, his national involvement with American Farm Bureau and current issies he sees young farmers facing. Visit to learn how you can get involved in...
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EP 16: Woody & Jacob Larson - The Story of Milk
Rural Recharge
Our guests for today are a father-son duo, Mr. Woody and Mr. Jacob Larson, owners of Larson Dairy Inc. in Okeechobee, Florida. The farm has a rich story of sustainability, recently partnering with Brightmark Energy Inc. on a renewable natural gas project. The Larsons are innovators in the Florida dairy industry, embracing technology and cutting-edge management practices. Visit to learn how you can get involved in Florida agriculture.
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EP 15: Deanne Maples & Whitnie Yoder - Beef, Bigger than a Burger
Rural Recharge
We are excited to have another dual-guest episode this month. May is Beef Month and resident Florida Beef expert Deanne Maples joins us as well as the 2023-2024 Florida Cattlemen's Association Sweet heart, Whitnie Yoder. We hope you enjoy this great episode on the importance of beef marketing. Visit to learn how you can get involved in Florida agriculture.
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EP 14: Pat Durden - Cows Keep Florida Green with FCA President
Rural Recharge
This episode's guest stars Pat Durden, Florida Cattlemen's Association President. Durden has worked hard to ensure Floridians are aware of the important role farmers and ranchers play in protecting the land and conserving our state’s natural resources. His slogan during his tenure as the FCA president is “Cows Keep Florida Green”, which emphasizes the vital role cattle play in greenspace. Join us for a great conversation on FCA’s partnership with Conservation Florida, why every Floridian is tied to ag through conservation and how you can get involved. For more information on...
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EP 13: Danny Johns - Deep Roots in Potato Farming
Rural Recharge
Today's episode is a conversation with Danny Johns, owner and manager of Blue Sky Farms, LLC in Hastings, Florida. Mr. Johns is a potato grower and shares with President Smith the family history of his farm, his thoughts on the outlook of Florida agriculture, and innovations that he has incorporated as a potato grower. We're excited to publish this episode of the Rural Recharge for National Ag Day on March 19, you don't want to miss this down to earth conversation! Visit to learn how you can get involved in Florida agriculture.
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EP 12: Dr. Saundra TenBroeck - A Legacy in Agriculture
Rural Recharge
Today's episode is a conversation with Dr. Saundra TenBroeck, the 2023 Woman of the Year in Agriculture. Dr. TenBroeck shares her life story and clearly displays the passion she has for her work. She has a long list of accomplishments and a decided example for the young people following in her footsteps. We look forward to congratulating Dr. TenBroeck at the annual Woman of the Year in Agriculture luncheon taking place during the Florida State Fair. 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.