Opinion: Florida Farmers Rise Above Water Worries

How long can you hold your breath under water? By now, Florida growers should be pretty good at clamping their nose and treading along as the next wave of water issues wash through. Regulations, quality, and availability continue to swamp producers along with the glut of other farm management-related obligations that come with the territory. Over the past year, local and national media turned attention to Florida’s water hazards: from the crumbling earthen dike of Lake Okeechobee, to the negative impacts of increased freshwater releases are having on the ecosystems of the Indian River Lagoon and Caloosahatchee River basin. Given the importance water holds in this state for residential, agriculture, and recreation alike, it’s easy to see why this topic garnered featured story status. Unfortunately, a common theme from the pieces noted fertilizer-fueled, nutrient-laden water readings as a culprit behind algae blooms and related poor quality. On the surface, a casual reader/viewer might think corporate farming is running amok through the Everglades all for the sake of a buck. Wrong! We know that’s not true. Yet, problems persist.

Live And Learn
Through education and dedication, farmers have worked to become the upstanding citizens of environmental stewardship. Best management practices, new technology, better irrigation equipment, and a slew of unique sustainable solutions all have helped growers exponentially in implementing inputs more efficiently.
In addition, concepts like water farming continue to gain more ground. Recently, the South Florida Water Management District approved a three-year water farming pilot project to store excess water on fallow farmland before it can flow to the St. Lucie River and Estuary. The pilot project, with the help of a Martin County citrus operation, should provide vital information on the idea of retaining stormwater on citrus land.
While this development didn’t receive the lauding the more dire-angled stories received, it was well worth noting. Just think what kind of shape our waterways would be in without the efforts of farmers.

Leading By Example
In late December, the Florida citrus community lost a friend and leader in Stan Carter. The longtime grove manager for McArthur Farms not only was a proud producer of the “world’s finest fruit,” but also a staunch supporter of water conservation. Long before it became commonplace among growers, Stan sung the praises of BMPs and their benefits. Thankfully, many producers have followed his lead. Hopefully, many more will carry on. There really is no other choice.
Growers know full well what they put in the ground has an effect on what comes out of it. And though articles and TV news segments can have slants to them, studies and their results don’t lie. Environmental awareness is at an all-time high among the ag community. That is a good thing. So is the scrutiny.