Tag Archives: Madison County

Tied to Ag: Tyler and Emily Shadrick, Madison County

July 3, 2024UncategorizedFloridAgriculture eNewsletter, Madison County, Tied to Ag, Tyler and Emily Shadrick, YF&R, YF&R Leadership Group, Young Farmers and RanchersShelby Martin

July 2024 FloridAgriculture eNewsletter

Tyler and Emily Shadrick are first generation blueberry growers in Madison County. Growing up in a small, rural town, their families were friends long before the two became a couple. Although they did not grow up on farms, the couple enjoys being part of the agriculture community and starting a farm of their own.

Tyler learned a lot about farming during his employment on various farms. After taking a step back, he decided to start farming for himself. In 2019, Shadrick Farms was founded.

In addition to running Shadrick Farms, Tyler is the facility manager for Madison Youth Ranch North Campus of Residing Hope Children’s Home and Emily is a third-grade teacher.

Although Farm Bureau has always been a part of the Shadricks’ life from an insurance perspective, it wasn’t until a few years ago that Tyler and Emily became involved with the Madison County YF&R Program. Buck Carpenter, an active Farm Bureau member in the county, encouraged the couple to attend the group’s meetings and later helped them earn scholarships to attend the YF&R Leadership Conference.

“I have really enjoyed getting to meet new people through Farm Bureau and learning that there’s a lot more agriculture in Florida than what my county brings to the table,” said Tyler Shadrick. “We had no idea about all the leadership opportunities that the leadership group would offer us when we joined.”

As members of the YF&R state leadership group, Tyler and Emily have had the opportunity to learn about agriculture on a state and national level. Tyler serves as the Class X President, which gives him a seat on the Florida Farm Bureau state board. This has been an eye-opening experience as they continue to strengthen their tie to agriculture.

“I stay tied to ag by connecting national issues with my county,” said Tyler. “I have gotten to go to Washington, D.C. and learn about big issues that aren’t being talked about on a county level. I try to bring what I’ve learned to my county and help create a solution.”

Young Farmers & Ranchers Gather for Annual Conference

July 12, 2023UncategorizedAchievement in Agriculture, Alachua, Baker County, Bernie and Avery LeFils, Brandt and Samantha Hendricks, Buck and NoraBeth Carpenter, Chad Haas, Discussion Meet, Erin Jones, Excellence in Agriculture, Gilchrist County, Jaime Jerrels, Jesse Cone, John and Emilee Peterson, Levy, Madison County, Rebecca Hall, Santa Rosa County, Sarah Luther, Suwannee, Volusia, Young Farmers & Ranchers, Young Farmers and Ranchers Leadership ConferenceShelby Martin

The 2023 Young Farmers and Ranchers Leadership Conference brought together more than 200 agriculturalists from across the state. Themed Growing Forward, the conference focused on equipping participants with leadership skills, industry insights and networking opportunities.

Throughout the conference, participants engaged in a series of breakout sessions and farm tours. The session topics ranged from integrating AI in pest management, estate planning, the importance of personal branding, a legislative update on the 2023 farm bill and more. The conference featured keynote speakers Cody and Erika Archie, owners of Bar 7 Ranch in Gatesville, Texas. The couple spoke on the importance of being the voice of agriculture and meeting people where they are to share the story of agriculture.

Conference attendees had the opportunity to test their industry knowledge and skills through various competitive events like Achievement in Agriculture, Excellence in Agriculture and Discussion Meet. The finalist for each competition will compete at Florida Farm Bureau Federation’s Annual Meeting in October. From there, the state winner from each category will compete at the national level at American Farm Bureau’s annual conference in January 2024.

The Achievement in Agriculture finalists are Buck and NoraBeth Carpenter of Madison County, Brandt and Samantha Hendricks of Santa Rosa County and John and Emilee Peterson of Baker County.

The Excellence in Agriculture finalists are Jaime Jerrels of Levy County, Rebecca Hall of Alachua County and Bernie and Avery LeFils of Volusia County.

The final four Discussion Meet finalists are Erin Jones of Gilchrist County, Chad Haas of Volusia County, Sarah Luther of Suwannee County and Jesse Cone of Madison County.

Young Farmers and Ranchers between the ages of 18-35 who are interested in honing in on their leadership skills and expanding their network are encouraged to join their local county Young Farmers and Ranchers group. Next year’s conference is set for July 12-14, 2024 in Palm Beach.

To view conference photos, click here.

Growing Forward, NoraBeth Carpenter

July 5, 2023UncategorizedBuck and NoraBeth Carpenter, FloridAgriculture eNewsletter, Growing Forward, Madison County, NoraBeth Carpenter, Women's Leadership CommitteeAmanda Overstreet?

July 2023 FloridAgriculture eNewsletter
NoraBeth Carpenter
Women’s Leadership Committee, District 2

Having grown up on her family’s farm and being a lifelong Farm Bureau member, NoraBeth Carpenter strives every day to educate her community and family about the importance of agriculture.

Carpenter was inspired by watching her grandfather, father and uncles build their family legacy on the farm. In 2009, NoraBeth married her husband, Buck, and left her hometown, Lee, Florida, while he served in the Air Force. After a few years, the Carpenters returned to Madison County where they established their roots and began to build their farm. In 2019, Carpenter left her job at the local library to focus full time on the farm and to homeschool their three children. Currently, they farm perennial peanut and a variety of grains.

While her family has always been a member of Farm Bureau, NoraBeth and her husband began their involvement in the Young Farmers & Ranchers program after getting married. Buck was appointed as the county chair and NoraBeth became involved in the Women’s Leadership Program. She currently serves on the State Women’s Leadership Committee as the District 2 representative.

Being involved in Farm Bureau allows NoraBeth the opportunity to continue spreading the word of agriculture, which she does through educating the next generation. Carpenter is proud of her involvement with Ag in the Classroom events and her county’s Ag Day celebration, which take place each year in May.

“By educating students and getting agriculture in front of them, my hope is for them to continue to appreciate the industry that sustains us,” said Carpenter.

Carpenter’s involvement in her community and her dedication to teaching her children about agriculture is a model example of growing forward.

”As a Florida farmer, growing forward is essential when raising a family, as they truly are the future of the farm,” said Carpenter. “My husband and I are working diligently to blaze a trail for them to follow and to set the example through faith. Our goal growing forward is to create a legacy for our children to follow in faith so that when the sun sets on our time they can continue growing forward in a new day.”

NoraBeth strives to live by words of scripture every day, specifically Proverbs 31:17-18 & 31:23-28.

“She considereth a field, and buyeth it: with the fruit of her hands she planteth a vineyard, she girdeth her loins with strength, and strengtheneth her arms.”… “Her husband is known in the gates, when he sitteth among the elders of the land. She maketh fine linen, and selleth it; and delivereth girdles unto the merchant. Strength and honour are her clothing; and she shall rejoice in time to come. She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the law of kindness. She looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness. Her children arise up, and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praiseth her.”