Bethel Oaks Farm, Jefferson County
Kim and Angela Jones own and operate Bethel Oaks Farm in Jefferson and Wakulla County, Florida and in Colquitt County, Georgia. The farms ‘timber and citrus operations began in 2013 as part of the Bethel community. It is a family-run business with all members of the family having an active role in the prosperity of the farm. Bethel Oaks Farm has implemented BMPS for the past 3 years. BMPs are a set of guidelines that advise producers on how to manage the water, nutrient, and pesticides they are using to reduce agriculture’s impact on the state’s natural resources. Some of the BMPs that have been implemented include soil moisture sensors. The sensors help notify when and where to irrigate and can pinpoint where the fertilizer is in the soil. Bethel Oaks Farm has also planted perennial peanuts to assist in erosion control and to produce nitrogen needed for their citrus trees. These practices ensure that their land will remain productive and viable for future generations. Jones is involved in his community by being a member and Deacon at First Baptist Church in Thomasville, Georgia. He also was a former Rotarian, has served on the Chamber of Commerce and Commercial Bank board of directors, as well as on the Archbold Hospital Foundation board. When asked why he believes it is important to protect our environment, Jones responded, “We need to make good, common sense decisions about our environment and respect the land and water. Let’s learn from our mistakes in the past and leave the land and water better that when we found it.”
