Farmers to be recognized for environmental stewardship

Contact: Andrew Walmsley, 352-317-0691
Environmental Services Coordinator, Florida Farm Bureau Federation

Fourteen Santa Fe River Basin farmers involved in the Suwannee River Partnership CARES program will receive awards for their exceptional environmental stewardship at Suzanne DeChamplain’s Heaven’s Gate Farm in Gilchrist County on Oct. 30. The event, which includes dinner, begins at 6 p.m. These 14 producers join the nearly 300 other CARES recipients who have already earned that designation.

CARES - the County Alliance for Responsible Environmental Stewardship – was initiated by Florida Farm Bureau and the Suwannee River Partnership to highlight efforts by farm owners to improve natural resource management in the Suwannee River Basin. The partnership includes more than 60 local, regional, state and federal agencies, research institutions, industry associations, businesses and conservation groups. Farm owners who have met verifiable standards of excellence in resource management receive a CARES designation and earn the privilege of posting a sign on their properties identifying them as award winners for their good work. One of the keys to the success of the program involves site visits by public officials who assess the implementation of state-of-the-art resource management techniques, or Best Management Practices, at the farm property. “Farmers have long been good stewards of the land,” Andrew Walmsley, environmental services coordinator for Florida Farm Bureau said. “Now with new information and technology available, farmers are able to be even more proactive when it comes to protecting the environment.” Walmsley said it is important to recognize those involved in the CARES program for their role in maintaining Florida’s natural resources.

The Suwannee River Basin CARES award recipients are:

Alachua County – Don Green, Hugh Colson, Charles Davis

Bradford County – Adam Wainwright

Dixie County – Jason Holifield

Gilchrist County – Larry Langford, William Douberly, Tommy Jones

Levy County – Vince Dean, Damon Sandlin, Murray Tillis, Mark Graham, David Benton, Frank Prevatt