Tag Archives: Highlands County

Central Florida Farmers Encouraged to Attend the Landowner Assistant Expo

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June 2024 FloridAgriculture e-Newsletter

The Central Florida Regional Planning Council in conjunction with the Highlands Soil and Water Conservation District is hosting a Landowner Assistance Expo on Tuesday, June 11, 2024, from 8:30 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. It will be held at the Bert J. Harris Agricultural Center Auditorium at 4509 George Boulevard, Sebring, FL 33875.

This is a great opportunity for farmers and ranchers in central Florida to network and learn about other potential sources of conservation or income outside of traditional farming practices.

Landowners, regardless of acreage size, in DeSoto, Glades, Hardee, Hendry, Highlands, Okeechobee, Osceola, and Polk Counties are encouraged to attend and participate in conversations related to technical assistance, cost-share opportunities, conservation easements, and the financial implications of each program. Outreach representatives will be on hand to provide brief overviews of local, State, Federal, and non-governmental programs and receive feedback from the attendees.

Lunch will be provided and served by the Highlands Soil and Water Conservation District.

Register here or contact Shiela McNamara for more information at 352-678-7015 or [email protected].

Be the Voice. Live the Legacy

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Jeff Williams
Highlands County Farm Bureau President

Jeff Williams

Jeff Williams was elected as the new Highlands County Farm Bureau (HCFB) President at the county’s annual meeting last fall. He and his family own and operate W A Williams Citrus Nursery, Inc. in Highlands County. The third generation farmer comes from a long line of nursery producers and citrus growers.

“I am homegrown in Avon Park and was born into the citrus business,” Williams said. The business is named after Williams’ late grandfather.

In 1984 citrus canker struck the family operation, and four years later, W A Williams passed away. “He lost his livelihood and we lost him,” Williams recalls. The family endured another tragedy when Williams’ father suffered a stroke.

Williams has carried the torch in the family business for 20 years now. Along with being a full-time citrus nursery producer, Williams is a part-time officer to the Highlands County Sheriff’s Department.

W A Williams Citrus Nursery, Inc. currently runs and oversees two greenhouses, each one measuring 108′ X 34′ and holds approximately ten thousand citrus trees per house.

“In doing so, I was able to continue my grandfather’s legacy by operating under his original license and name, W A Williams Citrus Nursery, Inc.,” Williams mentioned. “This means the world to me.”

Williams has recently diversified into hemp production. “The site has been approved by Commissioner Nikki Fried, we got the license and permit to cultivate and we are excited about this venture,” he said.

Williams has been married to his wife Becky for 27 years. They have two children, a daughter, Alexis, and a son, Joshua. “We are expecting our first grandchild any day now,” Williams said excitedly.  His son, Joshua, is finishing up courses to obtain his commercial pilot’s license at just 22 years old.

Williams is following in his father’s footsteps in serving on the Highlands County Farm Bureau Board of Directors. He also serves as a board member on the Highlands County Citrus Growers Association. He expressed his appreciation for both the active board and Highlands County Young Farmers and Ranchers. “I am very proud of them and what they put their sights on,” he said.

Highlands County Farm Bureau supports youth education. They host an annual dinner each spring that honors the local FFA youth who participate in the fair. “We recognize the kids that show in the fair and feed the families,” explained Williams. The students get to network with the local Young Farmers and Ranchers Committee while enjoying a recognition dinner with their families.

HCFB holds an annual Cracker Shoot that welcomes 150 visitors. “We serve breakfast and lunch, promote Farm Bureau and keep relationships up with members,” he said. “It’s a really great time.”

Williams hopes that his son will one day take part in the family business and hopes to leave a legacy of faith to his children. “There is power in prayer, and I am proof of it,” he said.  He explained that after losing 1,000 acres of citrus groves to greening, he doesn’t feel like he deserves to still be in business. He credits his success to the grace of God.

When asked for his favorite recipe, Williams replied, “There aren’t too many recipes I don’t like. You can’t beat some country fried chicken with corn bread (he credits his wife Becky) and fresh vegetables.” His dessert of choice is peach cobbler.

Judy Bronson, FARM RAISED | FARM PROUD

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JUDY BRONSON 
District 6
Manatee, Hardee, Highlands, Sarasota, DeSoto/Charlotte and Lee

Judy Bronson represents women in District 6 on the Florida Farm Bureau State Women’s Committee. She and her husband, Steve, live on her family’s 5,800-acre ranch in Highlands County.

Judy and her husband, Steve,  share a unique trait in that they’re both fifth-generation Floridians. Montsdeoca Ranch has been in Judy’s family for over 100 years and she is proud to carry on her family’s cattle ranching heritage.

Steve’s family is from neighboring Osceola County and his grandfather, Henry O. Partin, is known for bringing the first Brahman cattle herd to Florida.

The couple has been happily married for 48 years and have two grown children, Sam and Stephanie. “I feel so blessed to have raised my children on this land,” Bronson said. “I am so thankful for that.”

Judy’s father, Fred Montsdeoca, was a cattle foreman for the Seminole Indian Tribe for 40 years and is known for helping the tribe make a living through cattle ranching. Today, the Seminole Indians have one of the largest herds of cattle in the state.

After Judy’s father passed, she and Steve took over the major roles on the ranch. “We were living in Glades County at the time daddy passed and our oldest, Sam, was just two years old,” she explained. “We moved back to Monstdeoca and Steve took over the ranch in 1974.”

Today, Judy does all of the record and bookkeeping for daily operations on the ranch and she also spends a lot of her time volunteering. She credits friend and fellow Women’s Committee member, Danielle Daum, for encouraging her to join the state committee.

“I have learned so much from this wonderful group of women,” she said. “Being on the State Committee has opened my eyes to a world of opportunity far beyond Highlands County.”

Judy is also a member of the Florida Cattlewomen’s Association and is active in her local county Farm Bureau. She has served in her role on the state committee for five years.

“Everything in Farm Bureau is a learning opportunity,” she said. “We should all, especially young people, take advantage of everything Farm Bureau has to offer.”

Rory Martin: Sarasota County Farm Bureau

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Rory Martin
Rory Martin

Rory Martin is buckled into his family’s tradition. The Florida native has served as president of Sarasota County Farm Bureau (SCFB) since 1993 and currently lives in his family’s old homestead just outside Sarasota with his wife and children.

Martin grew up in Highlands County and attended college at the University of South Florida. In the early 1980s, his grandparents needed help with the family citrus grove and Martin assisted in what he thought would be a temporary endeavor.

“I went to help my grandparents on the grove in 1983 and ended up staying. I’ve been involved in agriculture ever since,” he said. Today, oranges from the grove are used for juice.

Martin’s family homestead dates back to the beginning of the 20th century. One of the very first Valencia orange trees planted on the property back in 1904 still stands today. “It’s old but it’s still green,” Martin jokes. Martin has inherited the family farm along with his brother; the two brothers with their families operate it today.

Martin’s four children are the sixth generation to live in the old homestead. “I have journals that belonged to my great-grandfather that date back to 1902,” Martin said. “It’s like a little piece of history.”

Martin also serves as president of the Sarasota County Agricultural Fair and is responsible for many events held at the famous Robarts Arena—the largest entertainment venue in Sarasota County.

SCFB is an active participant in the Sarasota County Fair each spring. The local Farm Bureau holds a fair booth to support youth education for area FFA and 4-H students. “The food booth is probably my favorite event,” Martin stated. “We generate enough revenue to be able to give back to the kids.”

Area volunteers serve up a full barbecue dinner of chicken, pork, ribs and various sides and homemade desserts. More than 100 volunteers help make this annual fundraising event a success.

The SCFB Young Farmers and Ranchers Leadership Committee has recently taken off, according to Martin. “For the first time in several years we are sending eight young farmers and ranchers to the Statewide Florida Young Farmers and Ranchers Conference in Punta Gorda,” he said.

Martin shared his favorite old family recipe for Apple Cobbler. “We make this for any family gathering or event and everyone loves it!” Martin exclaimed. The recipe is as follows:

Apple Cobbler
INGREDIENTS:
2 #10 cans apple pie filling
1 box yellow cake mix
¼ stick butter, cut

DIRECTIONS:
Grease the bottom and sides of a 9×13 baking dish. Pour apple pie filling on the bottom. Mix cake batter according to the package directions and pour on top of apple pie filing. For the crust, place cut up butter along the perimeter of the baking dish. Bake at 300 degrees for approximately one hour.

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