May 2025
Eleven farm families were honored for their sustainability efforts with a County Alliance for Responsible Environmental Stewardship (CARES) award during the 24th Annual Suwannee CARES Celebration at the UF/IFAS North Florida Research and Education Center- Suwannee Valley. The event drew a record-breaking attendance with more than 700 farmers, ranchers, elected officials and members of surrounding counties.
The following farmers were recognized for caring for the environment:
Wayne Oden, Oden Farm, Bradford County
Bryan Jones, J5 Farms, Columbia County
Wayne-O, Karen and Kelsey VanAernam, Shamrock Sod, Dixie County
Evan Barton, North Florida Dairies, Gilchrist County
Dalton Tyre, 3 Rivers Hay and Cattle, Hamilton County
John L Hart, Hart Family Farm, Lafayette County
Tyler Putnal, Putnal Hay Farm, Lafayette County
Josh Churchwell, Churchwell Family Farm, Madison County
Bill Gaylard, Bill Gaylard Family Farm, Suwannee County
Ricky Aderholt, Aderholt Hay Farms, Suwannee County
Derick and Christy Thomas, Thomas Beefmasters, Union County
The CARES program was established by Florida Farm Bureau and the Suwannee River Partnership in 2001 to recognize superior natural resource conservation practices implemented by farmers and ranchers. These Best Management Practices have saved 1.5 million gallons of water per crop season within the Suwannee River Water Management District. The public benefits of these natural climate solutions practiced by farmers and ranchers include open spaces, fresh air, wildlife habitat and water recharge for aquifers.
Florida’s farmers and ranchers depend upon the life-sustaining capacity of the natural resources they manage to maintain their livelihoods and our quality of life. More than 900 agriculturists statewide have received the CARES award since the program was established.
CARES has become a model for the rest of the nation. The program has partnerships with more than 60 public agencies, including the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Natural Resource and Conservation Service, the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, the University of Florida’s Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, the Florida Department of Environmental Protection and Florida’s water management districts, agricultural organizations, businesses and local governments.
Click here for event photos.