Welcome to Bethel Farms

about us

Bethel Farms has been "growing" since day one. From its beginnings in 1958 as a small cattle and poultry operation in Central Florida, the company has blossomed to become one of Florida's leading agriculture companies; producing cattle, fertilizer, citrus, nursery plants, sod and grass plugs. Bethel Farms currently employs over 100 people, on over 4,000 acres of farmland, stretching throughout the Southeastern US.

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 takes a solution-oriented approach. Bethel Farm's has developed the foresight to recognize the potential of newer products that address industry or customer issues.

"We're constantly searching for new ways to solve old problems," states Will Nugent, Bethel Farm's President. "It's part of our overall strategy of servicing customer needs, even when some of those needs have yet to emerge." It's this forward thinking, problem-solving capability that produces loyal, long-term clients. "We focus on doing our job well and anticipating trends and our customers have come to appreciate that."

Mike Pope, Bethel's National Sales Manager, agrees. "We really do try to anticipate our customers needs and bring them solutions". "We are no longer just trying to grow what other people are specifying; 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. 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. "Since water restrictions will continue to be a major issue, Bethel is cultivating more drought tolerant turfgrasses.

Bethel currently operates farms shipping to 14 southeastern and mid-western states. The addition of new locations will further increase the company's reach into Texas.

With a commitment to service excellence and innovation, Bethel Farms continues to grow in new directions.

Bethel Farms Milestones
1958	Founder, Walter H. Bethel, begins a poultry business in Arcadia, Florida. Over the next 35 years the farm expands to include cattle, citrus, nursery plants, sod and grass plugs.

1992	Second Generation ownership begins and expansion continues.

1996	Continued growth necessitates a new corporate office building. Company relocates to new facilities in Spring 1997.

1997	Grass plugs hit record sales of 18 million plugs. New markets launched in Georgia and South Carolina.

1997	Bethel Farms is named as one of the "Top 100 Fastest Growing Private Companies in Florida."

1998	Bethel Farms is again named as one of the "Top 100 Fastest Growing Private Companies in Florida."

1999	Bethel Farms introduces "precision agriculture" practices to increase efficiency, conserve water and reduce the use of fertilizers.

2000	Bethel Farms introduces Empire™ Zoysia grass. The farm's last eggs are produced and the poultry business closes after 40 plus years.

2001	Bethel Farms purchases Newton, Georgia sod farm for future sales and development.

2003	Sod deliveries expand into all of the Southeastern states.

2004	Bethel Farms hit by Hurricane Charley. Charley discovers you can't keep a good team down and the farm quickly recovers.

	Ft. Pierce farm starts for the expansion of east coast markets.

2005	Bethel Farms expands to the Florida East Coast in Ft. Pierce, Florida.

	Began expanding growth of Sapphire St Augustine turf.

	Family Buy Out – one family continues to grow Bethel Farms and lead the industry with the same goals and company philosophy.

	Continued expansion with our 250 acre Newton Farm.

2006	Bethel Farms stays current with research and plants University of Florida St. Augustine NUF-76

2007	Bethel Farms expands into Texas.

	Staying current with industry needs, Bethel Farms develops the first Sod Shield™, designed to protect and enhance sod during and after delivery.

	Bethel Farms joins other industry leaders and forms the Sustainable Landscape Council.

2008	One of our most important milestones is our 50th Anniversary. We will continue to meet industry needs with our same goals and company philosophy even though we are growing and expanding.

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