Podcast
Rural Recharge
Hosted by Florida Farm Bureau Federation · EN
Welcome to Rural Recharge. The podcast is hosted by Florida Farm Bureau President Jeb S. Smith and is intended to provide listeners genuine conversations on real issues faced by the farmers and ranchers who are growing what we eat, wear and use every day.
23episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
EP 38: Nathan Palardy - A Guide to Conservation Easements
3w ago00:35:03Tap to summarizeOur 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 Visit FloridaFarmBureau.org to learn how you can get involved in Florida Agriculture.
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EP 37: Bob Hochmuth - A Hall of Fame Partnership
Apr 1000:52:59Tap to summarizeOur 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 to learn how you can get involved in Florida Agriculture.
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EP 36: Reba Mazak - 2025 Woman of the Year in Agriculture
Mar 600:32:42Tap to summarizeOur guest joining us today is Mrs. Reba Mazak, the 2025 Woman of the Year in Agriculture. Reba is a fifth-generation Florida cattle rancher based in Sumter County. She and her late husband, Paul, built Mazak Ranch into a thriving cattle operation with land in Florida and Texas. She has been an active advocate for agriculture serving as the former President for both the Florida CattleWomen and the American National CattleWomen. As well as serving on her county Farm Bureau Board. Visit FloridaFarmBureau.org to learn how you can get involved in Florida Agriculture.
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EP 35: Trevor Williams - The Farm Traveler
Feb 1300:36:33Tap to summarizeOur guest joining us today is Mr. Trevor Williams, also known as the Farm Traveler. Trevor is a podcaster and YouTuber with a love of all things' agriculture. A Florida native, Trevor graduated with a degree in Agricultural Education and Communication with a minor in Environmental Horticulture from the University of Florida. The goal of the Farm Traveler is to connect consumers with farmers across the world and provide an outlet for famers to share their stories. Visit FloridaFarmBureau.org to learn how you can get involved in Florida Agriculture.
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EP 34: Christy Chiarelli - Developing Florida's Future Leaders
Jan 200:45:47Tap to summarizeOur guest joining us today is Mrs. Christy Chiarelli, assistant extension scientist in the Department of Agricultural Education and Communication, and director of the Wedgworth Leadership Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources. Originally from Laurel, Mississippi, Christy grew up showing market lambs and Brahman cattle for projects in her FFA chapter and 4-H club and was later elected to serve the National FFA Organization as a national FFA officer. Chiarelli obtained her bachelor's and master's degrees from the University of Florida, studying agricultural education and communication while focusing on agricultural leadership development. Christy and her husband, Elio, currently reside on a small farm in Alachua with their two children. Visit FloridaFarmBureau.org to learn how you can get involved in Florida Agriculture.
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Behind the Voice EP 11: Lance Watson & Tripp Hunter - Directors of Legislative Affairs
Dec 1900:29:04Tap to summarizeOur guests joining us today are Lance Watson, Director of National Legislative Affairs and Tripp Hunter, Director of State Legislative Affairs for Florida Farm Bureau Federation. Our conversation today will detail how Lance, Tripp and the Legislative Affairs team serve our members of the Florida Farm Bureau Federation and advance the Voice of Ag. Visit FloridaFarmBureau.org to learn how you can get involved in Florida Agriculture.
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Behind the Voice EP 10: Rachael Smith - Director of Public Relations
Nov 2100:21:04Tap to summarizeOur guest joining us today is Rachael Smith Director of Public Relations for Florida Farm Bureau Federation. Our conversation today will detail how Rachael and the Public Relations team serve our members of the Florida Farm Bureau Federation and advance the Voice of Ag. Visit FloridaFarmBureau.org to learn how you can get involved in Florida Agriculture.
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EP 33: Lucy Abell - The Next Generation of Leaders
Nov 700:43:10Tap to summarizeOur guest joining us today is Ms. Lucy Abell, owner/operator of Abell Livestock Company in DeSoto County. A second-generation cattle rancher, Lucy grew up in Texas before moving to Florida to expand her family's commercial cattle operation which operates in Northeastern New Mexico, the Texas Panhandle, and in South Central Florida. Lucy is one of three Finalists for the Florida Farm Bureau Farmer of the Year Award for 2026 and a recent graduate of the Wedgworth Leadership Institute for Agriculture and Natural Resources. Visit FloridaFarmBureau.org to learn how you can get involved in Florida Agriculture.
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EP 32: Matt Pearce - Born with a Sword
Oct 300:40:49Tap to summarizeOur guest joining us today is Mr. Matt Pearce, Owner of Pearce Cattle Company. Matt is an 8th generation Floridian and cattle rancher with a diverse operation including sod, beef cattle, hunting, and even photography workshops. He is the past president of the Florida Cattleman's Association and serves on the board of Conservation Florida working to preserve working lands and wild habitats across Florida. Visit FloridaFarmBureau.org to learn how you can get involved in Florida Agriculture.
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Behind the Voice EP 9: Geoffrey Patterson - Director of Agricultural Policy
Sep 1900:23:23Tap to summarizeOur guest joining us today is Geoffrey Patterson, Director of Agricultural Policy for Florida Farm Bureau Federation. Our conversation today will detail how Geoffrey and the Agricultural Policy team serve our members of the Florida Farm Bureau Federation and advance the Voice of Ag. Visit FloridaFarmBureau.org to learn how you can get involved in Florida Agriculture.
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