EP 41: Matt Caldwell - Preserving Real Florida
Rural Recharge
Our guests joining us today is Mr. Matt Caldwell president of the Florida State Parks Foundation. Matt is a 7th generation Florida native and former member of the Florida House of Representatives from 2010-2018 serving on and chairing several committees including agriculture & natural resources/public lands. In 2020, Matt was elected to serve as the Lee County Property Appraiser, and he also spends time focused on his timber and cattle business. Visit to learn how you can get involved in Florida Agriculture.
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EP 40: Kelsey Waters David - Legacy, Stewardship & Abundant Life
Rural Recharge
Our guests joining us today are Kelsey Waters-David, of W.D. Cattle Co. in Hawthorne, Florida. Kelsey, Class President of the Young Farmers and Ranchers Leadership Group, is a sixth-generation Floridian and cattle producer. Kelsey and her husband Tyler connected over a love of agriculture and developed an idea for a first-generation business W.D. Cattle Co which launched in 2023. Together they raise and finish beef cattle, selling USDA-inspected beef directly to consumers and they have quickly expanded into poultry, tallow and pet treats. Visit to learn how you can get...
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EP 39: LaDonna LaValle - Splitting Time: Agricultural Advocacy & the Arts
Rural Recharge
Our guest joining us today is Mrs. LaDonna LaValle, a dedicated agricultural advocate, business owner, and community leader, born and raised in Taylor County, Florida. LaDonna is a recent graduate of the Women’s Communications Boot Camp hosted by the American Farm Bureau Federation. She serves as the District 3 Women’s Chair for the Florida Farm Bureau Federation and has been an active member of the Taylor County Farm Bureau Board of Directors for over 15 years. Alongside her husband, Joe, LaDonna is very active in their family poultry, cattle, and hay operation, Perryland...
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EP 38: Nathan Palardy - A Guide to Conservation Easements
Rural Recharge
Our guest joining us today is Dr. Nathan Palardy, assistant professor and Extension economist in the Food and Resource Economics Department at the University of Florida. Dr. Palardy specializes in state and local government with an emphasis on policy and community economic development. His research and Extension programs seek to examine factors related to the growth and competitiveness of Florida’s food value chains. He has recently put together a comprehensive reference guide to help farmers and ranchers navigate conservation easements and has received the Archer Early Career Seed grant...
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EP 37: Bob Hochmuth - A Hall of Fame Partnership
Rural Recharge
Our guest joining us today is Bob Hochmuth, Center Director for the UF/IFAS North Florida Research & Educational Center. A National Association of County Agricultural Agents Hall of Fame member, focusing on commercial vegetable and watermelon crops, Bob has served the northeast extension district of Florida for decades. He was the first Florida Farm Bureau Extension Professional of the Year award recipient in 2017, and he has been a driving force behind the Florida Farm Bureau Federation and UF/IFAS partnership Suwanee CARES event that will be celebrating its 25th anniversary on May...
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EP 36: Reba Mazak - 2025 Woman of the Year in Agriculture
Rural Recharge
Our guest joining us today is Mrs. Reba Mazak, the 2025 Woman of the Year in Agriculture. Reba is a fifth-generation Florida cattle rancher based in Sumter County. She and her late husband, Paul, built Mazak Ranch into a thriving cattle operation with land in Florida and Texas. She has been an active advocate for agriculture serving as the former President for both the Florida CattleWomen and the American National CattleWomen. As well as serving on her county Farm Bureau Board. Visit to learn how you can get involved in Florida Agriculture.
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EP 35: Trevor Williams - The Farm Traveler
Rural Recharge
Our guest joining us today is Mr. Trevor Williams, also known as the Farm Traveler. Trevor is a podcaster and YouTuber with a love of all things’ agriculture. A Florida native, Trevor graduated with a degree in Agricultural Education and Communication with a minor in Environmental Horticulture from the University of Florida. The goal of the Farm Traveler is to connect consumers with farmers across the world and provide an outlet for famers to share their stories. Visit to learn how you can get involved in Florida Agriculture.
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EP 34: Christy Chiarelli - Developing Florida's Future Leaders
Rural Recharge
Our guest joining us today is Mrs. Christy Chiarelli, assistant extension scientist in the Department of Agricultural Education and Communication, and director of the Wedgworth Leadership Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources. Originally from Laurel, Mississippi, Christy grew up showing market lambs and Brahman cattle for projects in her FFA chapter and 4-H club and was later elected to serve the National FFA Organization as a national FFA officer. Chiarelli obtained her bachelor's and master's degrees from the University of Florida, studying agricultural education and...
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Behind the Voice EP 11: Lance Watson & Tripp Hunter - Directors of Legislative Affairs
Rural Recharge
Our guests joining us today are Lance Watson, Director of National Legislative Affairs and Tripp Hunter, Director of State Legislative Affairs for Florida Farm Bureau Federation. Our conversation today will detail how Lance, Tripp and the Legislative Affairs team serve our members of the Florida Farm Bureau Federation and advance the Voice of Ag. Visit to learn how you can get involved in Florida Agriculture.
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Behind the Voice EP 10: Rachael Smith - Director of Public Relations
Rural Recharge
Our guest joining us today is Rachael Smith Director of Public Relations for Florida Farm Bureau Federation. Our conversation today will detail how Rachael and the Public Relations team serve our members of the Florida Farm Bureau Federation and advance the Voice of Ag. Visit to learn how you can get involved in Florida Agriculture.
info_outlineOur guest joining us today is Mrs. Reba Mazak, the 2025 Woman of the Year in Agriculture. Reba is a fifth-generation Florida cattle rancher based in Sumter County. She and her late husband, Paul, built Mazak Ranch into a thriving cattle operation with land in Florida and Texas. She has been an active advocate for agriculture serving as the former President for both the Florida CattleWomen and the American National CattleWomen. As well as serving on her county Farm Bureau Board.
Visit FloridaFarmBureau.org to learn how you can get involved in Florida Agriculture.