Earl and Phoebe Raulerson

Earl and Phoebe Raulerson, Raulerson Home Place & Raulerson Lofton Road, Okeechobee

David Earl Raulerson and his family own and operate Raulerson Home Place & Raulerson Lofton Road in Okeechobee, Florida. Raulerson Home Place was started around 1890 when Mr. Raulerson’s grandfather and father acquired the land. Raulerson Lofton Road was bought in 1969 by Mr. Raulerson and his wife. They proudly produce cattle. Mr. Raulerson has been implementing Best Management Practices (BMPs) on the farm since the 1960’s. BMPs are a set of guidelines that advise producers on how to manage the water, nutrient, and pesticides they are using to reduce agriculture’s impact on the state’s natural resources. Raulerson Home Place & Raulerson Lofton Road has installed culverts and risers to hold and divert water to provide a reliable source of drinking water for the cattle. Mr. Raulerson has a manmade pond that has fresh water pumped into it to keep the cattle from disturbing the natural wetlands. He also uses a rotational grazing system to improve pasture longevity, allow for timely utilization of forage and increase the stocking rates.

Mr. Raulerson is actively involved in his local community. He is past president of the Okeechobee Cattlemen’s Association, a County Farm Bureau board member, and chairman of the State’s Brands Committee. He is also a charter member of the National Cattlemen’s Association, President of the Florida Rodeo Association and an Honorary Director of the Okeechobee Cattlemen’s Association. When asked why he is a farmer who CARES, Raulerson responded, “to maintain life and sustainable agriculture.”