Herding Her Story Podcast

Natasha McCann grew up in California and currently resides in Texas. While she did not grow up with an agricultural background, her love for horses brought her into the Western industry. She started her career working on cattle operations and breaking colts on the West coast. She now runs her bu...

Captain Leiza Fitzgerald is a first-generation Floridian and trailblazer in the fishing industry. She is known as the “Queen of Conservation” in many circles because of her dedication to advocating for clean fisheries and protecting marine habitats. She has served as Florida STAR Director for the Coastal Conservation Association for over three decades, to educate the public on the importance of protecting Florida’...

Dr. Betsey Hermanson Boughton is originally from Michigan and now resides in Sebring, FL. She graduated with a B.S. in Biological Sciences from Central Michigan University and earned her PhD from the University of Central Florida in Conservation Biology. Her roots run deep at Archbold Biological Station and Buck Island Ranch (BIR). She first started as an intern and she now serves as the Director of Science. Her research at BIR is ...

Brianna Swartfager grew up in South Florida with agriculture right in her backyard and a strong rodeo background. After earning her B.S. in Animal Sciences from the University of Florida, she followed her passion into the classroom as an Agriculture Teacher. Beyond the barn and the school day, Brianna also balances life as a devoted wife and mom—showing what it truly looks like to lead, teach, and inspire both at home and in the ag...

Megan Cassidy grew up in Northwestern Colorado and went to Colorado Mesa University. She was involved in agriculture at a young age through 4H. When she’s not busy helping run her family’s cattle operation, working in town, and spending time with family, she’s advocating for the agriculture industry.  Some of her involvement includes, but is not limited to, Mesa County Cattlewomen’s, District 9 Representative for the Colorado...

Josie Waters is agricultural anthropologist and 8th generation farmer-rancher from Micanopy, FL. She worked in the feed industry for 10 years for Corbett’s Feed and Seminole Feed. She graduated cum laude with a bachelor’s in anthropology from UF, and gained field experience as an archaeological field technician in Alaska, Costa Rica, and most of the southeast and Midwest US. She then earned her masters in cultural anthropology with...

Eileen Breen spent some of her childhood in the states and in Malawi, Africa. Her love for horses started at a young age and while she pursued many career paths including as a stockbroker, she ultimately found her way back to the equine industry in equine assisted services. She started her journey in equine assisted services with the North American Riding for the Handicapped Association and currently teaches adaptive riding.Eileen ...

Dr. LuJean Waters is a proud 7th-generation rancher who is the owner/operator of Heartland Large Animal Services based out of Bartow, FL. She is also a professor at Warner University, teaching beef cattle production and animal sciences. When she is not busy with clients or class, she likes to spend her time showing registered Brahman cattle. She is also involved with the Florida Cattlemen’s Association at the county and state level...

Reba Mazak is a fifth-generation Florida cattle rancher based out of Sumter County. In addition to ranching in Florida and Texas, she also owns a limerock mine, wedding venue, and hunting operation. She has served as President of Florida CattleWomen in 2004 and President of the American National CattleWomen in 2022. Reba is passionate about the beef industry and mentoring the youth of agriculture. Help us congratulate her for the w...

Ava Budde grew up in eastern Washington as a third-generation rancher. She was involved in 4-H and FFA, went to Northwest College for livestock judging, and is currently an agricultural communications major at the University of Wyoming. She previously served as the Washington State Beef Ambassador and is finishing her term as one of three members of the 2024-2025 Collegiate Beef Advocacy Program. She is passionate about advocating ...

Liesa Priddy grew up in the south part of Immokalee. She owns and operates JB Ranch, a cow-calf operation that focuses on land stewardship and conversation. She has served our state in many capacities including as commissioner of the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, on the Ave Maria Stewardship Community District, and the Big Cypress Basin Board to name a few. She was awarded the Land Conservationist of the Year a...

COVID was definitely a hard and dark time for everyone, but a lot of good things came out of it, including Florida Farm Finder! Meet Jillian Childs, founder of Florida Farm Finder. Jillian founded Florida Farm Finder to build a community around Florida’s farm direct food. This community has allowed people to get produce and food directly from local producers and has highlighted both small and large producers! Not only that, i...