Loop's Nursery & Greenhouses and Dairy Production Systems are winners of Environmental Leadership Awards

(Gainesville, Fla.) – Florida Agriculture Commissioner Charles H. Bronson has presented awards to two agricultural operations in recognition of their leadership in promoting progressive environmental practices. Loop’s Nursery and Greenhouses of Jacksonville and Dairy Production Systems of High Springs each received the Ag-Environmental Leadership Award Oct. 30 at the Florida Farm Bureau Annual Meeting at the Hilton Oceanside in Daytona Beach.

“The Ag-Environmental Leadership Award program spotlights the environmentally innovative farming practices of our state’s growers and ranchers,” Bronson said. “Nominees for the awards come from different parts of Florida’s agricultural industry, but they all share a commitment to protect and preserve Florida’s resources while continuing to provide agricultural products for our people.”

Carl B. Loop, Jr. accepted the award on behalf of Loop’s Nursery, the operation he founded following his graduation from the University of Florida in 1949. The nursery, which is now managed by David Loop, Carl’s son, has grown into one of the largest wholesale nurseries in the Southeast. The Loops have pioneered many horticulture practices, finding new ways to produce high-quality plants in a cost-effective, efficient and environmentally sound manner. Loop served as president of the Florida Farm Bureau Federation for 23 years, until 2006, and was vice president of the American Farm Bureau Federation from 1995 until 2001.

David Sumrall established and operates the High Springs-based Dairy Production Systems, which is comprised of four dairy farms including two in Florida and on each in Georgia and Mississippi. He is co-owner of a fifth farm in Texas. The operations comprise a total herd of about 15,000 cows and employ about 250 workers. Sumrall has worked with the Florida Department of Environmental Protection to ensure his Florida dairies generate high quality milk while having a positive impact on the environment and the surrounding community.

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, nonprofit agricultural organization. More information about Florida Farm Bureau is available on the organization’s Web site, http://FloridaFarmBureau.org.