April 15, 2019
Florida farmers and ranchers protect and maintain water resources every day. According to the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, they conserve more than 11 billion gallons of fresh water every year.
Their success is the result of their use of innovative conservation strategies that allow them to grow more food with less water. Many of them have also enhanced natural systems that return clean water to aquifer recharge areas.
One example of agricultural innovation is the use of micro-jets commonly placed at the base of citrus trees. Such a device emits a low volume of water precisely at the base of the tree. When combined with a soil moisture sensor, the grower can determine the amount of water the tree needs to grow and avoid unnecessary irrigation.
As a result, the farmer reduces the cost of production while conserving a vital resource.