Speakers

Nick Parker is a native of East Tennessee and has been Married to his wife Trina for 30 plus years. They have two adult daughters, Grace and Anna.

Nick is a Marine Veteran, received a B.S. Degree from East Tennessee State University, served in the Drug Investigation Division at the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation and was a Tennessee Farm Bureau Insurance Agent for over 20 years before medically retiring in June of 2023.

In July of 2014 Nick was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease. In January of 2023, Nick was diagnosed with Esophageal Cancer. Nick is honored to share his story of hope and believes, No matter the circumstance, God is never caught off guard.

Jeb Smith is a lifelong resident and business owner in St. Johns County. A fifth generation farmer in Hastings, he and his family produce cattle, hay, sod, fish and timber. His family has lived, been educated, and worked in St. Johns County for over one hundred years. Actively involved in the agricultural community, Jeb serves in multiple capacities representing the industry. He is now presently serving as the President of Florida Farm Bureau. He has served on the Putnam-St. Johns County Farm Bureau Board of Directors and was a State Director for District 10 of the Florida Farm Bureau. Nationally, he serves on the American Farm Bureau Federation’s Board of Directors. Locally, Jeb served on the Hastings Drainage District, the Farm Service Agency, St. Johns County Overall Extension Advisory Committee, and the 4-H Association Board of Directors. After graduating from St. Augustine High School, Jeb continued his pursuit of higher learning at the University of Florida with a focus on Food and Resource Economics. He then transferred to Ambassador Baptist College in Shelby, North Carolina, and pursued a degree in Pastoral Studies. He has since served as youth pastor and professor of theology at the Deland School of the Bible. He is now the pastor of God’s Way Baptist Church in Hastings which he founded in 2005. He, also, serves on the Rodeheaver Boys Ranch Board of Directors. Some of the prominent recognition Jeb has received includes the Outstanding Young Farmer and Rancher Achievement Award and the Discussion Meet Award from Florida Farm Bureau. Likewise, he was the recipient of the Learning Legacy Lifetime Achievement Award presented by the St. Johns County School District. Jeb and his wife, Wendy, have been happily married for over thirty years. They have four grown children: Jared (m. Kamryn), Cady (m. Hunter), Jeremy, Cayla and two grandsons. Jeb was elected and served as St. Johns County Commissioner for District 2. He has twice served as the chairman and as the vice chairman of the Board. Likewise, he has participated in the Industrial Development Authority, Health and Human Services Advisory Council, the Housing Finance Authority, the State of Florida Health Department Leadership Council, the Early Learning Coalition, and the Value Adjustment Board chairman. He resigned from the Board of County Commissioners in November 2021 after seven years of service to be the President of the Florida Farm Bureau Federation.