Area farmers recognized for environmental
stewardship
(TRENTON, Fla.) -- Farmers who have voluntarily
adopted best management practices (BMPs) to manage the flow
of nutrients to the Santa Fe Basin will be recognized for their
ongoing commitment to environmental stewardship at a dinner
hosted by Sen. Rod Smith Tuesday, October 12 at the DeChamplain
Heaven’s Gate Farm in Trenton.
Florida Farm Bureau Federation, in cooperation with the Suwannee
River Partnership and the Suwannee River Water Management District,
will induct five agricultural producers who have implemented
sound environmental practices into the County Alliance for Responsible
Environmental Stewardship (CARES) program.
CARES is an incentive-based program dedicated to protecting
Florida’s water quality by promoting environmentally sound
and economically viable farming. It is backed by 31 agricultural
associations, government agencies and corporations working together
in partnership with farmers to reduce nitrate levels in rivers
and groundwater through voluntary management programs.
“Farmers depend on the environment for their livelihood,”
said Matt Harrison, FFBF’s CARES program coordinator.
“No one has a larger stake in protecting the environment
than farmers.”
In order to qualify for the program, farmers must implement
BMPs specific to their farming operation. BMPs are used to minimize
pollutants from agricultural activities from entering water
resources.
The implementation of BMPs is a continual process
that requires an on-farm assessment to indicate the operation’s
needs. It often takes several years to fully execute the practices.
Once the recognition is received, on-site inspections verify
continued environmental stewardship efforts through a quality
assurance program. Participation in the CARES program signifies
a long-term commitment to the environment.
Farmers selected for recognition under the CARES program will
have a sign placed at their farm gates proclaiming “This
Farm CARES.” The first group of CARES signs was placed
on farms during Spring 2001. Florida Farm Bureau and the other
cooperating agencies of the Suwannee Partnership continue to
promote the CARES program to ensure that the public understands
the significant contributions made by the farms displaying the
signs.
“By recognizing producers for implementing BMPs, we want
to promote agriculture’s environmental contribution to
the state,” Harrison said.
With this year’s inductees, more than 140 participants
have been recognized with CARES signs in the last three years.
Florida Farm Bureau plans to implement the CARES program throughout
the state.
The Florida Farm Bureau Federation is the state’s
largest general-interest agricultural association with more
than 150,000 member-families statewide. There are Farm Bureaus
in 62 counties in Florida, where agriculture comprises a stable,
vital leg of Florida’s economy, rivaling the tourism industry
in economic importance. Headquartered in Gainesville, the Federation
is an independent, non-profit agricultural organization and
is not associated with any arm of the government. More information
is available on the organization’s Web site, http://FloridaFarmBureau.org.
- 30 -
Florida Farm Bureau Federation