ABOUT SWEET SEASON FARMS

Trent and Sharon Mathews own and operate Sweet Season Farms, an agri- tourism operation, in Milton, FL. The Mathews have opened up their family farm to nearly 30,000 visitors each year since 2008 and have created a fun, but educational family atmosphere for families to enjoy! 

When visitors aren’t at their farm, the Mathews’ dedicate their time to growing corn, soybeans, cotton, peanuts, flowers, pumpkins and raising beef cattle.  With such a diverse agricultural production, they are intentional about protecting the land and local natural resources by implementing Best Management Practices (BMPs). 

Some of the BMPs implemented include subsurface drip irrigation to reduce water use and apply water directly at the roots on the corn field that is transformed into a corn maze each fall. Grid soil sampling to analyze nutrient availability, planting cover crops to improve soil health, fencing off areas with water and that are sensitive to erosion, as well as rotational grazing to provide fresh, tender grass to cattle year- round are additional BMPs implemented.  

These efforts are important to the Mathews family because they care about the people in their community and who visit them each year and wish to educate them on natural resource protection first- hand. 

The Mathews are involved in agricultural leadership by serving on the Florida Farm Bureau Water/ Natural Resources Advisory Committee, Blackwater Soil and Water Conservation District, FFA Alumni, Jaguar Booster Club, Farm Credit Advisory Committee, Florida Farm Bureau State Young Farmer and Rancher Leadership Team, Santa Rosa Young Professionals, and the Santa Rosa Livestock and Fair Board. 

The Mathews are also involved in hosting educational field trips out to their agri- tourism operation, Ag in the Classroom events, Extension Lunch and Learns with legislators and the general public, as well as the Chamber of Commerce. 

Florida Farm Bureau Federation is proud to award a 2018 CARES designation and sign to Trent and Sharon Mathews for their dedication in being outstanding environmental stewards.