Farmers recognized for environmental stewardship

Farmers recognized for environmental stewardship

CONTACT:
Andrew Walmsley, environmental services coordinator, (352) 378-8100 ext. 1108
Kathy Richardson, public relations program manager, (352) 374-1533

(Gainesville, Fla.) – Fourteen Santa Fe River Basin farmers involved in the Suwannee River Partnership CARES program received awards for their exceptional environmental stewardship at Suzanne De Champlain’s Heaven’s Gate Farm in Gilchrist County on Oct. 30. 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.

Florida’s Commissioner of Agriculture Charles Bronson was on hand to help recognize the farmers. “Thank you to all the people who have gotten involved in this program,” he said. “CARES is known not only across Florida but across the country as a model for how to work together to help the environment.” Bronson also noted that agriculture remains vibrant in Florida and that the future could become even brighter as the full potential for biofuels is realized.

Along with the Commissioner, Florida Farm Bureau President John Hoblick presented the awards. “We as farmers truly are environmentalists. This is a testament to the hard work on their farms,” he said. “I am also pleased by the various partners that work together on the CARES program. We have regulators, associations and private organizations that want to help. We’re proud to be sponsors.”

As the largest general agriculture organization in the state, Florida Farm Bureau Federation has been a key sponsor for the CARES program since the beginning. “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 Santa Fe River Basin CARES award recipients included the following individuals:

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

The Florida Farm Bureau Federation is the state’s largest general-interest agricultural association with about 140,000 member-families statewide. Headquartered in Gainesville, the Federation is an independent, non-profit agricultural organization. More information about Florida Farm Bureau is available on the organization’s Web site, http://FloridaFarmBureau.org.