Page 8 - CFAN_Jun2014

FEATURE | agrigov

PROTECTING and CONSERVING through

Why Four Million Acres of Florida Farm and Ranch Lands are Already Enrolled

by JESSICA STEMPIEN, Florida Department of Agriculture, Ofice of Agriculture Water Policy

AGRICULTURE HAS BEEN IN THE SPOTLIGHT industry’s part in protecting water resources. Although to implement things such as soil moisture sensors,

for many years for environmental problems. It BMPs are designed primarily to protect water quality, automation, iltration, soil/leaf testing, conversion to
they also have conservation beneits. BMPs are a low volume irrigation, and weather stations. here
seems we always have to defend our way of life
to prevent government intrusion and/or taxation. set of practices used to reduce the amount of soil, is also cost share available for cow/calf operations for
nutrients, pesticides, and microbial contaminates solar water pumps, aggregate, etc. and is not limited to
Most of this is greatly due to people that do not entering surface and groundwater while maintaining 100 acres or less.

understand agriculture moving into this great state or improving the productivity of agricultural land. Florida farmers and ranchers have already enrolled
and becoming vocal at political levels.
Some examples of BMPs are soil and/or leaf test to over four million acres of their own lands into FDACS

determine when you fertilize, maintaining vegetation BMPs. hat means you will not be alone. It is a great
Agriculturalists know that we are the best stewards on road banks, maintain water control structures, opportunity to give Florida’s agriculture another leg
of the land and we try to do what is best for the
irrigating at appropriate times when evaporation is to stand on when it comes to defending our lands and
environment, but for most folks that is not enough. low, or storing fertilizers and pesticides in a manner quality of life. he Oice of Agricultural Water Policy
Commissioner Putnam has stated that “water policy that protects them from wind and rainfall. hese are is here to ofer help and assistance for agriculture
is the most important long-range issue facing not
just a few practices that help improve water quality producers. Join the thousands that have already enrolled
only agriculture but all of Florida.” his is a good and conserve water.
and let’s keep agriculture in the positive spotlight. ag
reason that you may want to consider enrolling
Enrolling in BMPs can really be an asset to your
in Water Quality and Quantity Best Management operation. Furthermore, according to state law
Practices (BMPs) through the Florida Department of
implementing applicable BMPs that address pollution
Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS).
issues gives you a presumption of compliance for For more information, email jessicalea.
he Florida Legislature authorized FDACS stempien@freshfromlorida.com, call (813) 985-
to develop commodity speciic BMPs along with those water quality standards addressed by the BMPs.
With your enrollment in FDACS-adopted BMPs, you 7481 x2125 or (813) 546-1121.
industry representatives to address agricultural will be considered to be in compliance by state law. For more information online:
water policy issues. BMPs are an important tool for
Enrollment may make you eligible for cost share in http://www.freshfromlorida.com/Divisions-Ofices/
Florida agriculturalists to ensure their lands remain applicable areas to implement BMPs. In Hillsborough, Agricultural-Water-Policy or http://www.swfwmd.
environmentally friendly.
state.l.us/agriculture/mini_farms.php
the FDACS has a program called MiniFARMS to
BMPs are practical, cost efective actions that assist growers 100 acres or less of existing farm land
demonstrate to regulatory agencies the agriculture

AN OCCASION WHEN A JUDGE REVERSED HIS DECISION

SHARING YOUR SUCCESSES is important in business. to recover the loss. At irst, a federal judge in the North
It strengthens the relationship with your clients and allows Dakota court system entered a ruling stating we didn’t have

your team to celebrate their accomplishments. We’ve had a case against the Fargo farm for more than the price of the
a recent success that involves a Phoenix potato farmer I seed. Our team was faced with the challenge of providing

represent.
clear and compelling evidence to the contrary. In the space

What you may already know is that most vegetable of one year, however, the judge made a 180 degree turn. He
plants start from a seed. Many seeds are grown in the U.S., reversed his decision.
by MIKE MARTIN
but also in foreign countries like Taiwan and Chili. he We accomplished this by proving that the warehouse
seeds come to the U.S. and sometimes bring with them where the seed was stored at the Fargo farm could have

diseases that don’t manifest until it is near harvest time.
been contaminated with bacterial ring rot. hrough photos BIO: Michael Martin of Martin Law Oice
Our client in Phoenix lost a tremendous amount of his and other evidence, we showed the judge proof of the highly in Lakeland specializes in agriculture
and environmental legal representation.
potato crop because of bacterial ring rot. he loss then unsanitary conditions and compared them to successful seed
escalated because the land had to sit fallow for two years storage processes.
A native of Polk County, Mike attended
college at Sewanee in Tennessee, before
until there was no longer any risk of contamination for his case was a challenge and as attorneys it’s our job obtaining a doctorate in law from the University of Florida
and has tried numerous cases nationwide since that time.
future crops. Our Phoenix farmer purchased the seed to educate the jury and the judge. We have the experience
potatoes from Fargo, ND, and so we turned to this farm
relevant to our ield of practice to do just that.
Mike also serves as the director of the FFA Foundation and
is the author of the novel, he Crestfallen Rose.

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