Florida Entrepreneurs Step Up To National Competition

August 2, 2017

Rural EntrepreneurshipTwenty-one Florida businesses are competing for cash in the American Farm Bureau Federation’s 2018 Rural Entrepreneurship Challenge.

This program is the first national business competition focused exclusively on rural entrepreneurs working on food and agricultural businesses. The Challenge offers a total of $145,000 in start-up funds.

The following Florida entrepreneurs have submitted applications under the program:

  1. Jenny Cowart (Bunnell, FL) with Andalusia Cattle Co. and Wagon Tails Ranch Rides
  2. John Lommerse (Sanford, FL) with Dutch Mill Nursery
  3. Donna Smith (Lakeland, FL) with The Smith Family Ranch LLC
  4. Dan Biggins (Tallahassee, FL) with Brewification.com
  5. Nichole Kirchhoff (Jupiter, FL) with Live Advantage Bait LLC
  6. Charles Alvarez (Raiford, FL) with Alvarez Farms
  7. Doug Smith (Sebring, FL) with Smith Agricultural Enterprises LLC
  8. Gayle Smith (Palmetto, FL) with Smith Family Poultry Farm, Inc.
  9. Patricia Sokol (Morriston, FL) with Sokol Vineyards LLC
  10. Jorge Lango (Tavernier, FL) with Integral Aquaculture Services
  11. Greg Frost (Tallahassee, FL) with Gulf Coast Tung Oil LLC
  12. Pat Grosz (Tampa, FL) with Positively Berries LLC
  13. Amanda Keeney (Myakka City, FL) with ANA Ranch
  14. Christian Ramthun (Tampa, FL) with Christian J. Ramthun, Inc.
  15. Jennifer Denney (Dade City, FL) with Denney Farms
  16. Tabitha Holt (Fort Myers, FL) with Grocery Hound
  17. Tina Phillips (Ocala, FL) with Phillips Bee Farm
  18. Anette Skoog (Citrus Springs, FL) with Skoog’s Sheep and Cattle Co.
  19. Justin Gregg (Live Oak, FL) with Southern Farms LLC
  20. Clayton Tew (Quincy, FL) with Two Frog Farm
  21. Donna Easters (Wimauma, FL) with Wimauma Roots, Inc.

A national panel of judges will announce the top 10 businesses in October. For more information, visit http://www.strongruralamerica.com/challenge/.