BetweenTheBeachesPodcast

As we roll further into June and the mercury climbs higher, Sam and I banter about the current state of the cattle business, recap some recent events in our life and around the state, and discuss many of the things that make summer in Florida a special time. We also touch on the Florida Cattlemen's Association Annual Convention and Allied Trade Show that kicks off next week. Tune in as we venture from the fence line to the coast line out here between the beaches.

Sit back and relax for the next half hour or so as we share some cowboy poetry focused on the cycles and rhythms of change and how perseverance and resilience will carry you through those transitions. It's a bit of a follow up to our last episode on the same topic, but the message is delivered as only cowboy poetry can do it.

After dealing with some family business prompted a lot of deep thinking, we decided to switch up from our originally planned episode this week to share some of those thoughts in a brief monologue while also paying tribute to a family member. Sorry to be a little late getting it pushed out the door, but we hope y'all enjoy it and pass it along to others.

Seth Carswell has a passion for custom design, craftsmanship, and legacy. As Florida's only custom boot maker, Seth's artistry, traditional technique, and commitment to detail are evident in every stitch of his boots. As a 3rd generation Floridian, his family background lies in timber production and he spent much of his younger years involved in that business or on the water, before turning to his passion for blending form, function, and legacy in leather goods.  Nothing demonstrates this concept more than his alligator boots.  Managing alligator populations through hunting programs on both public and private lands is an integral part of conservation here in the Sunshine State and Seth indirectly plays a small role in all this by crafting the tanned gator skins into beautiful boots that reflect his love of Florida. Join us in this conversation as we learn more about Seth's family the origins and future plans for Florida Boot Company.

Tune in this week for a special rebroadcast in honor of Mr. Gordie Peer and prepare to be amazed at the incredible life he lived. Before settling down in Florida as a working cowboy, Gordie had been a rodeo specialty act performer, Hollywood stuntman, and so much more. Don't miss his amazing stories!

Since its inception in 1993, the Florida Cow Culture Preservation Committee has remained dedicated to preserving Florida's cow culture as well as its Cow Hunter and Cracker heritage. In addition to organizing and executing countless cattle drives and trail rides, the FCCPC works tirelessly to celebrate the unique and foundational role that cattle have played throughout Florida's history while actively promoting Florida's rich heritage as a cattle state to a global audience. Jim McAlister, secretary for the FCCPC, joins us on the podcast this week to discuss the history of the committee's work, the upcoming 2026 Great Florida Cattle Drive, and we close out with a little central Florida cracker history.  Click here for more info on the 2026 Cattle Drive Email: greatfloridacattledrives@gmail.com  

Florida's role in the War Between the States is easily and often overlooked. She was third behind South Carolina and Mississippi to secede from the Union. While the battles fought on her soil never rose to the level of those farther north in the main theater of war, Florida's supply and defensive roles were critical to the Southern cause. As easily as these facts are forgotten, so too can brave and honorable men be forgotten if we allow them to be. One such man is Captain John Jackson Dickison, the Swamp Fox of the Confederacy. Tune in this week to learn more about this remarkable man and brilliant military strategist.

Florida is full of fascinating stories and people that can only be found when you get off the beaten path, leave the coastlines behind, and get out in the rural backcountry that makes our state so special. It's this "other land" where you'll find hidden gems like Sugar and Spice Farms, a multi-generational glades family who care deeply about Florida, farming, and their community. To that end, they've invested in continued traditional farming operations while having a vision for the future to expand their sugar cane into production of Otherland Society premium rum in a way that seeks to revitalize western Palm Beach County. Join us for a look back into the rich history of the glades region, the communities lying on the eastern shore of Lake Okeechobee, and the families vested in sharing the beauty of the places and people they love.

Trains have long played a significant role in shaping the face of Florida dating back to when Henry Flagler laid the first tracks. Today, it feels like agriculture and much of our old Florida culture is tied to those tracks staring into the lights of a metaphorical runaway train of growth and development. In this episode, we look at some of the cultural events we've done in the first quarter of this year seeking to promote and preserve our heritage as well as discussing the pressures farming and ranching are facing throughout Florida during this era of rapid and explosive change.

This week we sit down with James Johnston to explore the rich Celtic herding heritage that helped shape Florida's foundation and still helps forge her future. We also cover the new knowledge Jamesie gained about Florida this week as he spent several days with us exploring what lies Between The Beaches from the ranch down to the lower Everglades. Additionally, he shares his background on his endeavors plus we draw comparisons between Florida and Scotland environmentally, politically, and more. It's a wide ranging conversation but one that revolves around protecting your culture, your heritage, and your resources.

This week's episode offers a glimpse back in time to turn of the century Florida living with all of its challenges and simple joys. Special thanks to Mr. Phil Redditt for sharing his family's story with us. Things weren't always easy, but there was always a strong sense of community and a respect for the land. These are our roots and what built Florida. Hope y'all enjoy the history.

In spite of hurricanes, high prices, and other challenges, these days everyone seems to be in love with the Sunshine State because they keep flocking in here like moths to the flame. But there's a big difference between lust or fake love and a deep, abiding love. On this week's episode, we feature essays by various conservationists from across Florida describing their love and appreciation for her. So many different perspectives, yet so many common themes as well that all combine to paint a vivid picture of real Florida.

A lot of our conversations and interviews on this podcast revolve around the elder generation sharing their history and heritage in Florida, but this week we're turning to the younger generation to get their outlook and thoughts on our beautiful state. Mary-Margaret Hardee is a 7th generation Floridian who's passionate about Florida agriculture and sharing the lesser known stories of the women involved in it. Join us for a conversation covering her family heritage, her work on the podcast, and much more!

NOTE:  While we didn't necessarily intend to start the year with a rebroadcast, we couldn't pass on the opportunity to share this insightful conversation with Mr. Jerry Lee "Ham" Brown from back in March 2023.  Ham probably knew and forgot more about horses than most people will ever learn and he shared some great stories in this episode of the podcast.  Ham passed away this past week so we felt it only fitting to bring this episode out of the vault to share with everyone.  We hope y'all enjoy it.    Within the ranching community and performance horse circles, the name Ham Brown is synonymous with high quality horses filled with a whole lot of cow sense. His family first settled in Florida back in the 1800's so his roots run quite deep in Osceola County. In this episode, we touch on his early days working cattle across the state, his career in the cutting horse circuit, and plenty other memories of a Florida that's quickly disappearing.

The Walker family were some of the earliest pioneers into the Lower Kissimmee River Valley and generations later they remain a foundational fixture in the Okeechobee community serving the needs of livestock producers in the area and across the state while also giving back to students via their support of youth programs like the Okeechobee Youth Livestock Show. In this week's episode, we sit down with Steve Walker to talk about the family's heritage in Florida and learn the backstory of how W&W Supply of Florida and the Emory Walker Company were built through his dad's resilience coupled with his ability to forge strong and lasting relationships with people. These traits lie at the heart of the Florida so many of us know and love. It's am engaging conversation you're sure to enjoy.

The Seminole Tribe of Florida has a lengthy heritage with professional rodeo. The names of tribal members who've competed across the country at the highest levels is too exhaustive to list here, and some like Marty Johns and his family have both competed within the arena as well as provided the high quality livestock athletes that are an integral part of the sport. As the National Finals Rodeo kicks off, this week was the perfect time to look back on all this rich history we have in Florida and what's in store for the future. It's an insightful conversation and we hope y'all enjoy it as much as we did!

Join us this week as we enjoy a candid discussion with Dr. Mark Kistler, center director and professor at the University of Florida's Indian River Research and Education Center. Dr. Kistler shares his extensive background, the long history of IRREC, and how they're taking extensive strategic planning steps to make sure the center continues to provide Florida agriculture with the scientific support it needs to thrive in the future.  

Technically, this is a rebroadcast but it's as timely now as it was 3 years ago and we did a fair bit of editing to update our sponsors so it's running as a new episode. In this episode, we take a really deep dive into history to reveal a lot of facts that most folks overlook or ignore when it comes to Halloween. The origins of this celebration were anything but evil or satanic in their infancy as we seek to explain in this conversation. Our hope is that you'll leave this episode with a few laughs, a broader view of the world, and some knowledge to share with your family and friends.

Most everyone we know seems to be carrying a heavy load right now and we're all suffering from election fatigue at this point so why not tune it all out for a brief time? Join us out on the ranch under wide skies as we take a minute to relax and enjoy these classic poems.

As we continue to work through the recovery efforts following Hurricanes Helene and Milton, we're using Joe Akerman Jr's book "Florida Cowman" to travel back in time to the days of open range frontier life in Florida when cattle roamed open range and there were no warnings or forecasts for tropical systems. Additionally, we get a glimpse into how cattlemen built their herds and handled the ever-present threat of numerous predators.

With a slight deviation from our normal formatting, this episode carries the Explicit warning for language that may not be suitable for all audiences as the initial emergency response crew from the Florida Cattlemen's Association gathers around camp to wind down after a long day in the field. We discuss the importance of assisting fellow cattlemen and farmers in the wake of devastating hurricanes, how the general public can help via donations to the Florida Cattlemen's Foundation, all while sprinkling in a lot of laughs and borderline inappropriate humor as first responders so often do as a coping mechanism for the stress encountered. Our hope is that it provides everyone with a shining example of community being there for each other and demonstrates how food supplies can be tremendously impacted by these natural disasters.

Travis Thompson cares deeply about Florida which lead him to creating allfla.org built on a foundation of grassroots conservationists showing up daily to protect Florida and her wild places. There can be no doubt that sportsmen and ranchers have more in common than those things which separate their identities and at that the top of that list is a desire to use good stewardship over our resources. In this conversation, we cover topics ranging from the imminent 2024 duck season to Florida's unfettered growth and how Amendment 2 on the ballot ties into that issue, before closing out with a synopsis of All Florida and some outdoor memories that we share with all of you. It's candid conversation that covered serious political issues we face as well as some old fashioned nostalgia so you don't want to miss it. Most of all, please be sure to carry the message forward and share it with everyone you know.  #Conservation #LoyalToTheLand #YesOn2 

In Part One, we covered Florida's land boom of the 1920's and its subsequent crash. Here in Part Two, we'll be looking at some of the unexpected and unintended ramifications of urbanizing the southeast coast in Broward and Dade counties that manifested with the Flood of 1947 when 5 million acres of land from Lake Okeechobee down to Miami lay submerged for half the year and then we also examine how people refuse to learn from their mistakes as a second land boom erupts in the 1960's. Every bit of this overlooked past serves up important lessons; lessons that go largely unheeded leading to mistakes being repeated. We hope you'll listen and share this episode with others so that all of us here in Florida can do better.

Florida has known more than its fair share of speculators, swindlers, suckers, con artists, and outright thieves all seeking to make their fortune with land. The boom we're currently experiencing has happened before, and we've actually covered it in prior episodes, but this week we're looking at it from a slightly different angle and in much greater detail. We begin with the Big Boom and bust of the roaring twenties in Part One and next week we'll examine the Flood of 1947 and subsequent second land boom following WWII and the Korean War. There's plenty of lessons to be taken from all of these events, but unfortunately too many people refuse to learn from history and heed the warning signs.

The vast majority of people grossly underestimate the intricacies of growing produce to feed our nation as well as the significance of agriculture as a national security issue. On this week's episode, we spend time with 2023 Florida Farmer of the Year Wade Purvis having a conversation that provides in-depth insight into growing row crops in South Florida. We dig deep into the process of growing a crop from pre-planting decision making to harvest and beyond. We take you behind the scenes to evaluate the various calculations and risk management decisions that are taken into account along with the national and international variables that can impact the bottom line. And there's the weather yet to be contemplated! Additionally, we delve into development, trade, labor, technological, and other issues that are putting ever increasing pressure on farmers in the Sunshine State. You're sure to learn a lot from this conversation so tune in and prepare to gain a whole new appreciation for those who help put fresh produce on our tables.

In this episode, we're taking a look back at articles and stories that were featured in the Florida Cattleman Magazine many years ago. The heritage of our cattle culture has oftentimes been encapsulated in the pages of this magazine provided as a service to the membership of the Florida Cattlemen's Association and back issues are now archived within the University of Florida libraries available for everyone to enjoy. This week we look at a story on "Uncle Ab" Wright, another on banking and the cattle business, then we wrap up with an IFAS article on Maiden Cane which helps illustrate the symbiotic balance of having cattle on Florida's landscape.  For those who wish to dig deeper into the archived editions of the Florida Cattleman Magazine, you may access the digital copies at https://guides.uflib.ufl.edu/floridacattleman

JB Ranch is situated in Collier County in the remote reaches of southwest Florida. The ranch is a stunning mosaic of hardwood hammocks, prairies, cypress domes, pine flat-woods, and more. It's steeped in history and the family has made dedicated efforts to protect a special piece of Florida while maintaining diverse yet sustainable agricultural operations. Liesa has been a staunch advocate for Florida serving in leadership roles for the Florida Cattlemen's Association and as a board member for the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC). Listen in as she explains her family's history in the region, their conservation efforts, and ongoing endeavors to maintain cattle grazing in harmony with the existing wildlife within the region.

Join us this week as we cover several chapters and excerpts regarding the devastating 1928 Hurricane from Lawrence E. Will's book "Okeechobee Hurricane." Eyewitness accounts reveal the horror and destruction in the glades area that left an indelible mark on that region and our state as a whole.

If you wanted to know what it's like to hang out under a shade tree in Florida's summer heat surrounded by cows, this week's episode will put you as close to the real experience as possible. Tune in for some great cowboy poetry coupled with bawling of calves as cows call out for them atop an ancient midden mound where the indigenous Belle Glade culture once thrived. Hope y'all enjoy the entertainment!

As we celebrate our nation's birth and independence this week, we take a look back at the role Florida played in those fateful days even before she was fully a state. There's much more here to uncover than most would expect so sit back and enjoy some old history from the Great State of Florida.

NOTE:  this is a rebroadcast of an episode orignally published in 2022.  It's one that we feel represents some of the best of old Florida out here Between The Beaches and hope that you'll enjoy it while we work on some updates for the show this week. Mike Micco comes from a line of elders deeply committed to the Brighton Community and the Seminole culture. After years of mentoring with his family learning the art of cooking from his mom and wood carving from his dad then enduring much personal tragedy during the Covid era, Mike is now filling the important role of teaching these traditional Seminole arts to the next generation. Join us under the chickee for some great conversation and reflection on Seminole life.

As we prepare to venture to Marco Island and the Ten Thousand Islands region for the annual Florida Cattlemen's Association Convention and Allied Trade Show, we wanted to take a trip back in time to get a rare first person look at what that part of Florida was like before civilization had fully reached it. Such accounts of early Florida history are few and far between so this abbreviated autobiography is a real treasure. First featured in the American Eagle, Estero FL 1926, it was reprinted and featured as an appendix in the book "Totch: A Life In The Everglades" which is a must-read on its own merits. We hope you enjoy this look at pioneer Florida.

One of the recent exhibitions at the A.E. Backus Museum and Gallery focused on the connection between Bean and one of his collectors, journalist W.M. Kiplinger. Not only did the exhibit feature splendid paintings, but it also featured numerous letters of correspondence from Kiplinger to Backus as well as other artists under his tutelage including Alfred Hair and other members of the Highwaymen. The exhibit in its entirety provided a unique glimpse into the Indian River region of Florida just as the state experienced rapid change. Though many people experienced the exhibit firsthand, I felt it was worthy of being shared with an even broader audience even if it was auditory rather than visual. It's an entertaining and uplifting look at simpler times in Florida.

From his time working on the ranch in Pasco County to leading the Florida Cattlemen's Association and beyond, Larry Barthle has made significant contributions to Florida and our cattle heritage. Join us this week for a conversation reflecting on the early history of Pasco on to the rapid growth and change agriculture in the county is experiencing now.

In the first part of our interview with Sean Sexton, we covered his family's cattle history and many other ancillary contributions to Indian River County. This week in Part 2 we get an intimate look into his daily life as he shares excerpts from his personal journals, we share our thoughts on poetry and painting and how those pursuits are intertwined with our ranching lifestyle. It's an earnest exchange that ranges from simple reminiscences of events we've shared together like the National Cowboy Poetry Gathering to deeper reflections on the importance of using our skills and talents to share the story of Florida ranching.

In the first part of our interview with Sean Sexton, we covered his family's cattle history and many other ancillary contributions to Indian River County. This week in Part 2 we get an intimate look into his daily life as he shares excerpts from his personal journals, we share our thoughts on poetry and painting and how those pursuits are intertwined with our ranching lifestyle. It's an earnest exchange that ranges from simple reminiscences of events we've shared together like the National Cowboy Poetry Gathering to deeper reflections on the importance of using our skills and talents with pen and brush to share the story of Florida ranching.

The Sexton family has an incredible legacy in Indian River County and have made lasting agricultural contributions that have carried over into so many other aspects of the community that it would be hard to list them all. The positive impacts they've made extend from the fence lines of their Treasure Hammock Ranch east to the coastline of the Atlantic and in this episode we cover the historical timeline of how that came to pass. We had hoped to get in the history along with some cowboy poetry and art discussion in one sitting but it was simply too much material so this is part one of our conversation that you'll not want to miss.

On this week's episode we delve into some origin stories of some major Florida landmarks and also cover a couple of odd tidbits that are part off our state's intriguing history. From the Seminole story of how Lake Okeechobee came to exist to how the U.S. Army resorted to using Cuban bloodhounds in the Second Seminole War, you're in for an entertaining trip into Florida's past.

Travel in the early days of Florida was tough at best. Much of the state was underwater for a majority of the year which meant travel by waterways or horseback was most efficient. Roadways and transportation infrastructure blew the state wide open leading it to be the mega-state powerhouse that it is today. This week we take a look at some of those historic roads from territorial Florida on up to the modern systems inlace today.

Ardis Hammock is an integral part of Frierson Family Farm and the Florida agricultural community. Located immediately adjacent to the southern boundary of Lake Okeechobee for well over 100 years, her family shares a deep legacy in South Florida and has a history of service to not only agriculture, but to their surrounding communities as well. Join us for a conversation that elaborates on that rich heritage including how they survived the devastation of the 1926 and 1928 hurricanes, rebuilt, and continue thriving today. Additionally, we discuss how Lake Okeechobee and the surrounding agricultural operations are constantly and wrongfully targeted for water quality problems when they're truly part of the solutions, and then we close out by looking at the importance of food production as a matter of national security.

It may come as quite a surprise to many while being common knowledge to others, Tallahassee owns a very interesting and rather sordid past. It has flirted with famed Americans and infamous Floridians throughout the years and this week's episode highlights two such examples filled with overlapping themes and commonly shared circumstances. Tune in and learn something you may not have known or rekindle a long forgotten nugget of knowledge that has long slipped your mind.

Dusty Holley is a man with many talents and a diverse knowledge base that allows him to be equally at home in a board room or sitting on a board in a set of cow pens. Aside from being the Director of Field Services for the Florida Cattlemen's Association, he's a great storyteller with extensive family roots in our state's cow culture. Dusty set aside some time from his busy schedule to share that family history, part of which relates directly to the infamous Barber-Mizell Feud, and a good deal of general Florida history gleaned through various family accounts. Trust me when I say you don't want to miss the historical accounts captured in this conversation.

Join us for a rebroadcast of this episode that takes a deeper historical look into the origins and development of the Florida rancher's favorite working partner, the cur dog or Florida cow dog. Suffice to say that when our ancestors sailed across the Atlantic to settle in North America, they brought not only livestock, but also a very essential tool for handling those animals.

After making it through a very successful art show and finding the time to solve our technical issues with our recording device, we're back with some fresh material for the show. Sam and I took time to select and read a few chapters from a book on obscure Florida history. We then had some lively discussion about observations we had on those selections and how here in Florida, even when you think something is changing it quite often really hasn't.

Going back to the early 1820's, the Davis family has a long legacy in Florida and our cowhunter culture. Billy Davis has worked cows far and wide across the state and is the president of the Florida Cracker Horse Association so you'd be hard-pressed to find folks in the cattle business who don't know him. He's equally notorious as a prankster and storyteller with a true passion for Old Florida and our ranching heritage. As if all that wasn't enough to solidify his reputation, he's become a sought after spur maker forging the quintessential tools of the trade from scratch. In short, you might say that Billy Davis is a beloved character out here in Florida's cow country; nothing short of a folk treasure for us all and you're sure to enjoy this week's episode.

We're off to the races with meetings and festival preparation here in January. This week is pretty simple; we reflect on some of those activities before serving up a handful of poems focused on Florida and our cooler, wetter winter.

Fritz Brewer has spent a lot of years horseback seeing everything from livestock on Florida's open prairies and marsh lands to those performing as athletes in rodeo arenas across our state and country. In this episode, we reflect on his many experiences and the change he's witnessed both in and out of the arena. You'll hear plenty of Florida history and an insider's look at pro-rodeo that you're sure to enjoy so kick back and enjoy the ride with us!

It's the beginning of a new year and Season 5 of Between The Beaches Podcast, but how's that "New year, New me" thing going for Florida? Not so well. We're still staring down the same major problems that have been plaguing our state for the past few decades and they're only getting worse. Certainly not all, but most of Florida's leadership seems to be intent on securing short term gain while turning a blind eye to the devastating long term implications for our future. Unrestrained growth and poor water quality are slowly killing our state's natural systems and the biggest question every citizen should be asking is "who's going to stand up for Florida?"

The communities around Lake Okeechobee know Billy Dean quite well after his 21 years on the air at WOKC with Glades Media Group, but not everyone knows the backstory of his early years and family legacy in Southwest Florida. In this episode, we look back at his agricultural roots, share stories about growing up in rural Florida and daily sporting pursuits, and then transition into a discussion about small-town life in Florida and the important community services and the personal touch that local radio provides. It's a nostalgic look at simpler times, and a candid look behind the scenes at broadcast media that everyone is sure to enjoy.

As we enter the last month of the year and the season when our hearts are full of gratitude, join us as we run down our list of favorite, local charitable organizations that make an impact here in the South Florida region. If you're like us, you like seeing your donations support local, grassroots groups that aren't bloated and top heavy. Whether you choose to donate to these groups, get involved volunteering with them, or simply spread the word about them we feel they're deserving of the attention. Hope y'all enjoy learning about them in this episode!

Waterfowl hunting is a longstanding Southern tradition and offers a great example of the benefits that can be had from well managed public lands and especially on privately owned agricultural lands which are a haven for wildlife of all types. As the first split of the 2023 waterfowl season in Florida has concluded, it seemed like the perfect time to gather up some of our extended family for an informal chat covering all things duck hunting in Florida and Arkansas, camaraderie, and conservation. If you want to feel like you're gathered around the table or fireside with friends, this is an episode you don't want to miss.