The first stop on the tour will be Bethel Farms. Bethel Farms has been "growing" since day one. From its beginnings in 1958 as a small cattle and poultry operation in Central Florida, the company has blossomed to become one of Florida's leading agriculture companies; producing cattle, citrus, sod and grass plugs. Bethel Farms is one of the most technological advanced farming operations. Attendees will see how Bethel merged precision sod farming practices with state of the art sub-surface water management controlled by telemetry systems. Attendees will also see UF Turf Breeding Program plots grown at Bethel Farms. The second stop will be at SMR Farms. In 1922, The Uihlein family, founders of the Schlitz Brewing Company, acquired over 48 square miles of land east of I-75 in Manatee and Sarasota counties, at the southern reaches of the greater Tampa Bay area. The Uihleins pursued timber and ranching activities on the property creating what is today Schroeder-Manatee Ranch, Inc. (SMR). Over the intervening years, SMR has expanded to include the award-winning master-planned community of Lakewood Ranch, SMR Aggregates, The Sarasota Polo Club, and the diversified agricultural operations of SMR Farms (SMR Turf & Trees). Beyond the business, SMR Farms has been a leader in environmental stewardship and water management. Whether it is preservation of sensitive habitat, extensive use of alternative water sources or implementation of Best Management Practices, SMR Farms has been well out front in making natural resource management a part of every land-management decision. Company representatives and Water Management District officials will provide tour attendees with a "behind the scenes" perspective of this massive operation. While at SMR, tour attendees will partake in a “Cowboy Cookout” and ,weather permitting, some additional activities unique to Florida!