Rural Recharge

Rural Recharge is a monthly podcast hosted by Florida Farm Bureau Federation President Jeb S. Smith. Designed to cut through the noise of misinformation thrown our way, it features real conversations on real issues faced by the farmers and ranchers who are growing what we eat, wear and use every day.

EP 21: Jim Alderman - 2025 Florida Farmer of the Year 11/08/2024

EP 21: Jim Alderman - 2025 Florida Farmer of the Year 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. /episode/index/show/ffbnewsline/id/33840102

EP 20: Ryan Jenkins - Growing M&Ms 10/04/2024

EP 20: Ryan Jenkins - Growing M&Ms 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. /episode/index/show/ffbnewsline/id/33319207

EP 19: Carrie Baker - How are you? 09/06/2024

EP 19: Carrie Baker - How are you? 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. /episode/index/show/ffbnewsline/id/32899102

EP 18: Kelly Aue - A Partnership that CARES 08/02/2024

EP 18: Kelly Aue - A Partnership that CARES 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 to learn how you can get involved in Florida Agriculture. /episode/index/show/ffbnewsline/id/32384117

EP 17: Kevin Lussier - Going Far with YF&R 07/05/2024

EP 17: Kevin Lussier - Going Far with YF&R 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 Florida agriculture. /episode/index/show/ffbnewsline/id/31998847

EP 16: Woody & Jacob Larson - The Story of Milk 06/07/2024

EP 16: Woody & Jacob Larson - The Story of Milk 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. /episode/index/show/ffbnewsline/id/31632317

EP 15: Deanne Maples & Whitnie Yoder - Beef, Bigger than a Burger 05/03/2024

EP 15: Deanne Maples & Whitnie Yoder - Beef, Bigger than a Burger 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. /episode/index/show/ffbnewsline/id/31076923

EP 14: Pat Durden - Cows Keep Florida Green with FCA President 04/05/2024

EP 14: Pat Durden - Cows Keep Florida Green with FCA President 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 Florida conservation, visit . Visit to learn how you can get involved in Florida agriculture. /episode/index/show/ffbnewsline/id/30649338

EP 13: Danny Johns - Deep Roots in Potato Farming 03/01/2024

EP 13: Danny Johns - Deep Roots in Potato Farming 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. /episode/index/show/ffbnewsline/id/30177503

EP 12: Dr. Saundra TenBroeck - A Legacy in Agriculture 02/02/2024

EP 12: Dr. Saundra TenBroeck - A Legacy in Agriculture 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. /episode/index/show/ffbnewsline/id/29759148

EP 11: Jason & Amanda Watts - 2024 Florida Farmer of the Year 01/05/2024

EP 11: Jason & Amanda Watts - 2024 Florida Farmer of the Year Today'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 to learn how you can get involved in Florida agriculture. /episode/index/show/ffbnewsline/id/29354398

EP 10: Stephen Monroe - Florida's Cracker Cowman 12/01/2023

EP 10: Stephen Monroe - Florida's Cracker Cowman In this episode, President Smith sits down with Stephen Monroe for a lighthearted episode focused on Florida's legacy, Cracker Cattle preservation and a little storytelling and cowboy poetry. We hope you enjoy this fun, year-end episode of the Rural Recharge. Visit to learn how you can get involved in Florida agriculture. /episode/index/show/ffbnewsline/id/28872553

Ep 9: Brad & Sam Phares - Tales from a South Florida Cattleman 11/03/2023

Ep 9: Brad & Sam Phares - Tales from a South Florida Cattleman In this episode, we hear from a couple that does it all, from agriculture, podcasting, to art. 8th generation cowboy, Brad Phares and his wife Sam, share roots that run deep in Florida's agriculture history. Stay tuned for a fun episode and special reading of cowboy poetry written by Brad Phares. Chech out Between The Beaches Podcast, hosted by Brad Phares. Visit to learn how you can get involved in Florida agriculture. /episode/index/show/ffbnewsline/id/28502222

Ep 8: Lynetta Griner & Eric Handley - Florida Forestry, More Than Growing Wood 10/06/2023

Ep 8: Lynetta Griner & Eric Handley - Florida Forestry, More Than Growing Wood Join us as we celebrate Florida Forestry Week, October 22-28, in this episode. FFBF President Jeb Smith sat down with Lynetta Griner and Eric Handley of Usher Land and Timber for a conversation about the importance of Florida forestry, conservation practices, and the legacy that Griner and Handley hope to leave behind. Visit to learn how you can get involved in Florida agriculture. /episode/index/show/ffbnewsline/id/28239218

EP 7: Wade & Karen Purvis - Our Story as Florida Farmer of the Year 09/01/2023

EP 7: Wade & Karen Purvis - Our Story as Florida Farmer of the Year Real conversations with real farmers. In this episode, meet Wade and Karen Purvis, a vegetable farmer and educator in Immokalee, Fla. They share their family’s passion for farming and how important it is to understand that a strong domestic food supply is a national security issue. They are growing Florida agriculture forward by sustainably growing fresh food for a growing population. Visit to learn how you can get involved in Florida agriculture. /episode/index/show/ffbnewsline/id/27905328

EP 6: Kelly & Maggie Mosley - Journey to Amazing Grace Family Farms 08/04/2023

EP 6: Kelly & Maggie Mosley - Journey to Amazing Grace Family Farms Kelly Mosley and daughter, Maggie, join us to tell their story about Amazing Grace Family Farms. The Crop Maze began through an inspiring session at a Young Farmers and Ranchers conference and grew to statewide prominence. Listen in to learn more about storytelling through agritourism. Show Resources: Visit to learn how you can get involved in Florida agriculture. /episode/index/show/ffbnewsline/id/27627393

EP 5: Dr. J. Scott Angle - Future of AI in Agriculture at the University of Florida 07/07/2023

EP 5: Dr. J. Scott Angle - Future of AI in Agriculture at the University of Florida Dr. J. Scott Angle discusses an array of topics including AI's role in agriculture, conservation and farming and feeding a global population. Visit to learn how you can get involved and support Florida agriculture. /episode/index/show/ffbnewsline/id/27388191

EP 4: Michelle Williamson - Becoming a Grassroots Leader 06/02/2023

EP 4: Michelle Williamson - Becoming a Grassroots Leader Florida native Michelle Williamson is a voice, leader and advocate for Florida agriculture. In this episode she shares with us a little bit of her experience and why it is so important to be an involved agriculturalist. Sitting on several state industry boards, she has much experience with grassroots programs and their day to day impact. At the end of this episode, Ms. Williamson shares her famous strawberry shortcake recipe; you don't want to miss it! Visit to learn how you can get involved in Florida agriculture. /episode/index/show/ffbnewsline/id/27020340

EP 3: Marshal Sewell - Mental Health Matters in Agriculture 05/05/2023

EP 3: Marshal Sewell - Mental Health Matters in Agriculture May is Mental Health Month and it is just as important for you as it is for your neighbor. Marshal Sewell, a generational Floridian Agriculturalist shares some of his story and insight on mental health on this month's episode. Marshal and his wife, Taylor, have started their own platform to carry on the conversation about mental health in agriculture. You can find Mind Your Melon on Apple Podcasts and Spotify, as well as social media. Links listed below. Show Resources: Visit to learn how you can get involved in Florida agriculture. /episode/index/show/ffbnewsline/id/26748183

EP 2: Jim Strickland - Sustainability in Agriculture Means Profitability for All 04/07/2023

EP 2: Jim Strickland - Sustainability in Agriculture Means Profitability for All Conservation cowboy Jim Strickland of Blackbeard's Ranch joins us for a conversation about the environmental benefits of ranching and its role in providing for the health and well-being of Florida residents. This episode is an early highlight of Earth Day and our recognition of its importance. Visit to learn how you can get involved in Florida agriculture. /episode/index/show/ffbnewsline/id/26468082

EP 1: A look at Florida Agriculture with Commissioner Simpson 03/09/2023

EP 1: A look at Florida Agriculture with Commissioner Simpson Florida Farm Bureau Federation President, Jeb Smith, sits down with Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Wilton Simpson to discuss key agricultural issues including urbanization, sustainability, education and food security. Visit to learn how you can get involved in Florida agriculture. /episode/index/show/ffbnewsline/id/26180781

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