Page 20 - CFAN_Apr2014

a g r i g o v
FEATURE |

BMPs,

Have You Enrolled?

ensure their lands remain environmentally friendly.

he majority of most ranchers in Florida are already Farmers and
implementing certain BMPs by the way they manage
Ranchers’ Role in
their operations. BMPs are practical, cost efective
actions that reduce the amount of pollutants entering our
Protecting Florida’s
water resources. Although BMPs are designed primarily

to protect water quality, they also have conservation AWater Quality
beneits. BMPs for beef cattle are a speciic set of practices

used by ranchers to reduce the amount of soil, nutrients, BY MATTHEW WARREN,
pesticides, and microbial contaminates entering surface
Florida Department of Agriculture,
and groundwater while maintaining or improving the
Oice of Agriculture Water Policy.
productivity of agricultural land.

continued on PAGE 24
GRICULTURE HAS BEEN in the spotlight for many years for environmental problems. It seems

majority we always have to defend our way of life to prevent government intrusion and/or taxation. Most of this is
The of most greatly due to people that do not understand agriculture moving into this great state and becoming vocal

already at political levels.
ranchers in Florida are
implementing
certain BMPs
they manage
by the way We, as Florida cattlemen, know that we are the best As farmers and ranchers know, one of Florida’s greatest
BMPsare stewards of the land and we try to do what is best for resources is water. Florida’s ranchlands help protect
theiroperations.
practical, the environment, but for most folks that is not enough. the open space needed to ilter pollutants and recharge
cost effective actions Commissioner Putnam has stated that “water policy our groundwater. he Florida Legislature established

amount of is the most important long-range issue facing not only BMPs that were adopted by the Florida Department
that reduce the agriculture but all of Florida.” his is a good reason that of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) as
pollutants
entering our water
you may want to consider Water Quality Best Management the means to address agricultural impacts, rather than

Practices (BMPs) through the Florida Department of more additional permitting requirements. BMPs are an resources.
Agriculture.
important non-regulatory tool for Florida ranchers to

A THIRST FOR CHANGE

CHANGE CAN BE a pain. he every commercial sea these days). Most

powers that be are ixing the road between people would stop ater these two steps: 1)
my home and the oice. hat means Change is a PAIN. 2) Help people cope.

I have to detour, and I've been taking As humans, we need stability, but we

the same route for 10 years. he detour equally need stimulation. he change-is-
really upsets me. hat detour is peanuts a-pain activists ignore the other half. Did

compared to big ones, like trying to decide you return to the same vacation spot this by DONALD KIRKLAND
when is the best time to sell or auction year, as the year before? Did you go to the

your property. Still, it illustrates how the same restaurant last Friday as the Friday his column is sponsored by Donald Kirkland and Higgenbotham Auctioneers. Get
smallest disruptions can irritate in a big- before? In tiny ways (like those just listed),
more details online about our interesting properties at www.higgenbotham.com, and then
league way.
we value stability. But, in much bigger
We all need consistency in our lives. ways (new hobby, new job, new property), click on “upcoming auctions.” Give me a call if you have a property to sell at (863) 607-7877,
or email donald@higgenbotham.com. Have a great springtime!
Wise managers spend a lot of their time we also thirst for change.
BIO: Donald Kirkland (AU 1803 AB 158) is a third generation Floridian, from Medulla (South Lakeland)
helping employees ind new constancy Don't treat change with kid gloves.
in the midst of perpetually stormy Do realize that change is as normal as and admitted “Florida Cracker.” He has worked at Higgenbotham Auctioneers since 1993. Donald enjoys
the agriculture community spirit, 4-H, FHA, FFA. Donald is a certiied and licensed auctioneer and real
commercial seas (which describes most
breathing, and that we need lots of it.
estate associate.

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