SPOTLIGHT on Turfgrass Professionals

Company Name: Bethel Farms

Owners: Will and Kim Nugent

Locations: Arcadia, Florida; Ft. Pierce, Florida; Newton, Georgia.

Year Established: 1958

Type of Operation: Bethel Farms began in Arcadia, FL as a cattle and poultry operation. The company has grown to become one of Florida’s leading agriculture companies; producing cattle, fertilizer, citrus, nursery plants, sod and grass plugs. Bethel Farms employs more than 70 people.

Business Philosophy: The real story of Bethel Farms is not just how much business they do, but also how they do business. The farm’s stated commitment to quality and service is supported by procedures and systems that focus on customers and employees.

"We have quarterly supervisor meetings to discuss day-to-day happenings, and to share success stories or opportunities for improvement," says Will Nugent, Bethel’s president and one of its owners. "We also hold strategic planning meetings, in which we include management and people not from Bethel Farms, to get an "outside the box" viewpoint. In these meetings we discuss and plan for future growth, and share ideas for new products or better ways to do the things we are already doing."

Jonathan Brown, manager for all farm operations, says that a strong and diverse management team provides a wide variety of skills and insights into their business and customers. Although the management team members’ backgrounds and experiences are diverse, Brown says that one quality is shared by all of its members: a commitment to honesty and the fulfillment of commitments made to customers. "Bethel Farms is not afraid to go out on a limb for a customer," says Brown," but we don’t make promises we can’t keep. We’ll say upfront if we can’t do something, rather than disappoint a customer."

What’s unique: Bethel produces a wide variety of products, from mainstream to niche selections. In planning which product lines to develop, or which ones to drop, Bethel is solution oriented. Bethel’s management believes they have developed the foresight to recognize the potential of newer products that address industry or customer issues.

"We really do try to anticipate our customers’ needs and bring them solutions," says Mike Pope, Bethel’s national sales manager. "We are no longer just trying to grow what other people are specifiying; we are identifying and growing the varieties that solve their problems and help build their businesses."

Pope feels that Bethel’s response to water issues is a good example of what they are trying to do. "Years ago we recognized that water use issues were growing, that they directly affected our customers, and that these issues were probably not going to go away. We sought out turfgrass varieties that demonstrated better drought tolerance and water efficiencies. EMPIRE® Zoysia is one of these solutions, and gave us a tool that we could take to our customers."

Challenges: Brown says that water will continue to be a major issue, which Bethel is addressing in part with cultivation of more drought tolerant plants and turfgrasses. He also cites rising fuel costs, which impacts many areas of operation, from fertilizers to trucking and maintenance.

What’s ahead: Bethel currently operates three farms. The new location may take them into emerging markets. Additionally, Bethel Farms is expanding its line of Celebrated Plants, a newer line of ornamental grass-like plants that offer improved aesthetics, with lower water and maintenance needs.

Contact Information: Bethel Farms, 8780 NW Bethel Farms Road, Arcadia, Florida 34266; (863)494-3057, www.bethelfarms.com.