Rural Recharge

EP 41: Matt Caldwell - Preserving Real Florida

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 FloridaFarmBureau.org [https://www.floridafarmbureau.org/] to learn how you can get involved in Florida Agriculture.

EP 40: Kelsey Waters David - Legacy, Stewardship & Abundant Life

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 FloridaFarmBureau.org [https://www.floridafarmbureau.org/] to learn how you can get involved in Florida Agriculture.

EP 39: LaDonna LaValle - Splitting Time: Agricultural Advocacy & the Arts

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 Poultry, LLC. Visit FloridaFarmBureau.org [https://www.floridafarmbureau.org/] to learn how you can get involved in Florida Agriculture.

EP 38: Nathan Palardy - A Guide to Conservation Easements

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 to continue his work. His full guide on conservation easements can be found here https://ask.ifas.ufl.edu/publication/FE1170 [https://ask.ifas.ufl.edu/publication/FE1170] Visit FloridaFarmBureau.org [https://www.floridafarmbureau.org/] to learn how you can get involved in Florida Agriculture.

EP 37: Bob Hochmuth - A Hall of Fame Partnership

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 7th, 2026. Visit FloridaFarmBureau.org [https://www.floridafarmbureau.org/] to learn how you can get involved in Florida Agriculture.