By Emily Bruce, 12/01/25

Gretchen Hoke serves as a Supervisor on the Hillsborough Soil & Water Conservation District Board. Serving on the board has reinforced something she continues learning repeatedly: agriculture and conservation must walk hand-in-hand if we want to protect Wild Florida.

“And here’s the part I love most, you don’t need 1,000 acres to make a difference! Stewardship starts wherever your boots land,” said Hoke.

As a new beekeeper, she is getting a firsthand lesson in accountability within agriculture. In Florida, beekeepers are required to register with FDACS, receive a firm number, and complete an annual inspection. At first glance, it might look like red tape. In reality, it’s protection for pollinators, farmers, and the food system we all depend on.

And yes, bees are legally considered livestock here. Only in Florida does your “herd” fit in a box… and occasionally sass you.

However, this inspection wasn’t just about bees. It was a reminder that we truly are better when we work together. The more knowledge we share, the stronger Florida becomes, from ranching to beekeeping to the Florida Wildlife Corridor. It’s all connected, because we’re all connected.

When asked about the inspection, Gretchen replied “our inspector was incredible: knowledgeable, patient, and genuinely invested in helping us succeed. Through conservation and agriculture, I’m meeting people who are becoming mentors, friends, and family I didn’t even know I needed. God did, though.”

At the end of the day, stewardship isn’t a trend or a hashtag, it’s a calling. Genesis told us this long before social media ever existed. Protecting our water, land, and habitat will take all of us: farmers, ranchers, gardeners, kids, teachers, and neighbors, each doing our part.

Here’s to learning, growing, and linking arms together for Wild Florida, one acre at a time.