Wells Brothers Farm

Wells Brothers Farm, St. Johns County

Billy and Richard Wells own and operate Wells Brothers Farm in St. Augustine, Florida. The farm was established by their father, William Wells, in 1959. They proudly produce beef cattle, field corn and potatoes. Wells Brothers Farm has been implementing Best Management Practices (BMPs) on the farm for decades. 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. Wells Brothers Farm uses cover crops to protect the land from erosion, increase the amount of organic matter and improve water quality until the next crop is ready to be planted. Wells Brothers Farm uses an underground seepage irrigation system to supply the precise amount of water to the roots. The Wells brothers also practice a rotational grazing system that improves pasture longevity, allows for more timely utilization of forage and increases the stocking rates. Strip tillage, precision agriculture and water control structure are just a few of the many other BMPs that are implemented on Wells Brothers Farm. The Wells brothers are actively involved in their local community. Both brothers are members of the Florida Farm Bureau and attend Russell Baptist Church. When asked why they are farmers who CARE, the Wells brothers responded, “we are just a generational care taker for the land. It is our obligation to take care of the land and leave it in better shape than we found it for future generations to come.”