Farms Rooted In Faith

Katie Bevilacqua, the Co-Founder of Golden Ridge Groves, a family-owned agritourism operation in Polk County, Florida joined us today to share her journey in agriculture. As part of the third-generation of a Florida agriculture family, Katie combines her background in business, marketing, and operations with a strong commitment to supporting and promoting Florida agriculture. At Golden Ridge Groves, she oversees agritourism, education, events, and community engagement, with a focus on building partnerships and creating opportunities that strengthen the relationship between agriculture and the broader community. Katie's faith has been deeply shaped by watching generations of her family step boldly into the unknown. Her grandfather, Gerald Mixon, created SunnyRidge Farms from the ground up, and years later, her father Jerry and uncle Keith took another leap of faith by investing in Citrus Under Protective Screen (CUPS) at a time when its future was far from certain. Their willingness to take risks, innovate, and keep moving forward without knowing exactly how the story would unfold left a lasting impression on her. She shares how this legacy influenced the way Katie and her husband, Shane, have approached Golden Ridge Groves, particularly as Florida's citrus industry continues to face significant challenges. Building an agritourism operation alongside the family's farming business has required its own willingness to try something new, adapt, and trust that sometimes the opportunities worth pursuing require the faith to begin before you can see exactly where the path will lead.

The Future of Farming Starts With the Next Generation On this episode of the Farms Rooted in Faith Podcast, Abby Crawford and Emma Self from Warner University join me for an important conversation about the next generation of agriculture. With only 6.6% of U.S. farmers under the age of 35 and more than 40% over the age of 65, investing in young agriculturalists has never been more important. Abby and Emma share their personal journeys in agriculture, the impact of 4-H, FFA, Florida Farm Bureau Federation, and agricultural education, and why mentorship, leadership, networking, and advocacy are so important in preparing the next generation of farmers, educators, and agricultural leaders. We also talk about the challenges young people face entering agriculture, how to face these challenges, and how we can encourage more students to pursue careers in the industry. The future of agriculture depends on the people we invest in today.

Florida Farm Bureau Federation President Jeb Smith joined us today to share his inspiring testimony on Faith, Family, and Farmers. President Smith is a living example of the vital role faith plays in agriculture. A fifth-generation farmer, he founded God's Way Baptist Church in Hastings, Florida, in 2005, where he continues to serve as pastor. He is also serving his second term as President of the Florida Farm Bureau Federation. In this conversation, President Smith shares how he discovered his calling to ministry and how his faith sustained him through the hardships and challenges of farm life. He reflects on the ways his relationship with God has guided every chapter of his journey—from farmer and county commissioner to leading the Florida Farm Bureau Federation. Tune in to hear an authentic conversation about perseverance, purpose, and the unwavering faith that has shaped President Smith's life, leadership, and commitment to serving Florida's farmers.

In this inaugural episode of Farms Rooted in Faith, host Sarah Waldman sits down with Carole McKenzie to share the testimony behind the podcast and the journey that led to its creation. Together, they discuss their roles at the Polk County Farm Bureau, the importance of serving the local agriculture community, and how God opened doors and provided direction every step of the way. Join us as we share the heart, mission, and faith that inspired Farms Rooted in Faith and the stories we hope to bring to listeners in the episodes ahead.