Polk County Farm Bureau’s Sarah Waldman Launching Podcast
by SHAYLYNN MARKS
Sarah Waldman wears many hats at Polk County Farm Bureau, but at the heart of her work, she yearns to help the agriculture community feel seen, understood, and supported.
As program coordinator for Polk County Farm Bureau, Waldman works across six focus areas that shape the organization’s outreach and impact, including legislative and policy efforts, public relations, education, leadership development, and membership. Her role touches everything from event planning and promotions to community partnerships and member relationships.
“My job is to help be ‘The Voice of Agriculture’ in Polk County,” Waldman says.
That role places her at the center of some of the organization’s major initiatives, including its annual meeting and membership celebration, legislative luncheon and Aim Up For Ag Clay Shoot Fundraiser. She also participates in ag tours, youth contests, and partnerships that connect agriculture with the wider community.
Polk County Farm Bureau Executive Director Carole McKenzie says Waldman’s skills have made an astounding impact.
“She has increased our social media reach tenfold and brought many great new ideas to all of her program areas,” she says. “I often say that when I count my blessings, I count Sarah twice.”
Raised Around Ag
Growing up in Frostproof, Waldman joined 4-H at age 8, later became active in FFA, competed in leadership events and raised market animals throughout her school years.
“The sense of community and importance of your daily tasks is what led me to pursue a degree and career in agriculture,” Waldman said.
She went on to earn a bachelor’s degree in agricultural studies with a minor in business administration from Warner University, where her understanding of faith and agriculture grew side by side.
McKenzie said Waldman brings a rare mix of traits to the job.
“She’s research- and knowledge-driven, methodical, and precise, and yet creative at the same time,” McKenzie says. “I think it’s rare to find all of these traits in one person.”
A Podcast With a Purpose
Now, Waldman is preparing to use her strengths in a new venture, the Farms Rooted in Faith Podcast, centered on the faith it takes to work in agriculture.
She says the idea first came to her during a church connection group when she learned the church had a podcast studio and supports entrepreneurs. In that moment, she says, the words “Faith in Farming” came to mind. She wrote them down but initially kept the idea to herself. Then, two weeks later, she said her boss independently mentioned her starting a podcast and used the same phrase.
“That was when I knew God had plans to work through me and this podcast, so I began the planning process,” Waldman says.
McKenzie believes Waldman is the right person to lead it.
“It seems that God chose her to do it,” McKenzie says. “Sarah is very passionate about the agricultural way of life and places high importance on preserving it. She gets the degree of faith and tenacity that it takes to continue in agriculture production year after challenging year.”
Bridging Producers and Consumers
“The goal is to create a meaningful connection between consumers and the producers that bring the food to grocery stores,” Waldman says. “A relationship that harbors support of the agriculture community that keeps us all fed.”
The podcast, she says, is intended to cut through misinformation by giving producers space to speak for themselves. It will focus on the realities of the agricultural way of life and what it takes to get food to the table, while also highlighting the deep roots agriculture has planted in Polk County over generations.
McKenzie sees the same need.
“Sarah knows that misperceptions sometimes exist, and she wants to make sure that the agriculture story is heard from a fact-based perspective,” McKenzie says. “I think that Sarah realizes that the best way to do that is to engage with the community at large and create common ground through genuine and real-life conversations.”
Faith in Farming
“Faith in farming has multiple powerful meanings to me,” Waldman says before describing the faith farmers and ranchers place in agriculture, the faith they place in God, and the faith consumers place in those who feed them.
McKenzie explains how that perspective also aligns directly with the Polk County Farm Bureau’s broader mission.
“Valuing and promoting quality of life and being a voice for agriculture are primary Farm Bureau goals every day,” she says. “Sharing the stories of agriculture producers through podcast conversations absolutely fits those goals.”
Opening the Mic to Ag
“As someone whose career focus is to advocate for agriculture, I am excited to bridge the gap between consumers and producers,” Waldman says.
According to McKenzie, there is careful thought behind the project, from its themes to the people Waldman hopes to feature.
“Sarah has been very strategic when planning this podcast and in looking at topics as well as people she would like to invite as guests,” McKenzie says. “The goal is to make people think, both producers and non-producers.”