People Profile: Jimmy Wohl


		Jimmy Wohl- Rancher "I never want to see this land developed,"
	As we approach the oak hammock, a solitary bull stands in the cool dark shade. Assuming a problem, rancher Jimmy Wohl drives near, then gets out of the truck for a closer inspection. The bull, apparently resenting human intrusion, begins aggressively moving towards Jimmy who quickly steps behind a tree. Jimmy returns to the truck and explains that the bull's surly behavior is probably from being the loser of a fight with another bull. Jimmy Wohl manages the 5,200-acre Rafter T Ranch in Highlands County. It is here that he grew up loving the cattle business and learning how important it is to work in harmony with nature. " I never want to see this land developed," he says. In 1994, Jimmy received three environmental stewardship awards: the Florida Cattlemen's Association Environmental Stewardship Award, the Florida Secretary of Agriculture's Environmental Leadership Award, and the National Cattlemen's Association Environmental Stewardship Award for the Southeast Region. His commitment to rotational grazing, water conservation practices, use of prescribed burning, and invasive exotic control programs earned him these distinctions. On his ranch, he maintains nearly 300 acres of scrub and 1,200 acres of cutthroat seeps and flatwoods in their natural state.
	As we ride around the ranch discussing rotational grazing along with other conservation practices, the topic of environmental regulation is mentioned. Jimmy starts to bristle like the bull we just left. He doesn't always agree with government. From time-to-time, this Florida cowman has locked horns with regulation and regulators. Despite such confrontations, Jimmy remains committed to finding ways to work within the system to maintain profitability and to be a good steward of the land.