Agriculture Best Management Practices

Overview

LEAD WorkshopOctober 19, 2011

Darrell Smith

Florida Agriculture• Occupies over 18 million acres

– approximately 52% of the state’s total land use– most land is unimproved, only 8.2% irrigated

• Provides for biological diversity, aquifer recharge, flood control, wetland preservation, wildlife habitat

• Consists of 40,000 private farms– generates $100 billion in farm-related economic

activity– 750,000 associated jobs

• Farmland provides net economic benefit to the public– For every $1.00 paid in property tax agriculture

only requires $0.29 in public services

Commissioner Adam Putnam

• Water policy is the most important long‐range issue facing Florida

• “Growing” the amount of water available for all user groups is preferable to future allocations disputes

• Agriculture is a key water stakeholder; both as a user and as a source of water recharge, water banking, and flowage easements

• Responsible water policy will utilize technology, sound science, public awareness and collaboration to achieve its objectives

• Every Floridian has an obligation to future generations to protect our precious water resources

OFFICE OF AGRICULTURAL WATER POLICY

Watershed Restoration ActSection 403.067, F. S.

• Passed by 1999 Legislature and amended several times since

• Establishes Florida’s process for TMDLs• Assessment of waters• Listing of impaired waters• Calculation of TMDL• Implementation of selected TMDLs Basin

Management Action Plans (BMAPs)• Agriculture’s responsibility in an area with

an adopted BMAP is to implement BMPs, or monitor water quality to demonstrate compliance

Best Management Practice

“Best management practice” means a practice or combination of practices determined by the coordinating agencies, based on research, field-testing, and expert review, to be the most effective and practicable on-location means, including economic and technological considerations, for improving water quality in agricultural discharges.

BMP Development and Implementation

• Developed by FDACS in collaboration with growers, IFAS, state agencies, and others

• Science-based, verified by FDEP• Adopted by FDACS rule• Incentive-based, non-regulatory program

– Presumption of Compliance with state water quality standards

– Eligibility for state-funded cost share• Technical assistance provided through

OAWP field staff, UF-IFAS, and others

BMP MANUALS

Major FDACS-OAWP BMP Programs

• Citrus– Indian River Citrus– Central Florida Ridge Citrus– Peace River Citrus– Gulf Citrus

• Vegetable & Agronomic Crops• Container Nursery• Sod• Cow/Calf• Specialty Fruit & Nut• Commercial Equine (Pending Adoption)

Statewide Equine (pending)

• Manual and Rule targeted for adoption in fall of 2011

• Designed for use by commercial equine operations

• Focus on pasture management and manure management

Equine BMPs by Chapter

• Nutrient Management • Manure Management• Sediment and Erosion Control • Pasture Management• Stormwater Management• Water Resources Protection• Equine Watering Requirements/ Sources• Pesticide/Pharmaceutical Use• Animal Mortality Management

BMP Tools & Equipment

Drip and Micro Irrigation

Micro-IrrigationDrip Irrigation

AGRICULTURE PROGRESS

Statewide BMP Enrollment

• Approximately 8.2 million acres enrolled in state BMP programs

– 5.28 million acres of Silviculture (Division of Forestry)

– 885,340 acres of Vegetables/Row Crops– 970,372 acres of Cow/Calf– 500,298 acres of Citrus– 583,528 acres other (Sod, Nursery, LOPP)

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SWFWMD FARMS Program

71 Projects saving ~14 mgd

Water Conservation Program

Mobile Irrigation LabsAG WATER SAVINGS IN BILLIONS OF GALLONS PER YEAR:

Potential (PWS) Actual (AWS) Jul/05 – June/11 FY 10/11 Jul/05 – June/11 FY 10/11

17.030 3.152 7.849 0.989 COST OF AG MIL PROGRAM TO FDACS FOR FY 10 11: Cost per 1,000 Gallons Saved:

Potential (PWS) Actual (AWS) $0.23 $0.55

AGRICULTURE CHALLENGES

Ag Challenges

• Rainfall Distribution/Risk• Science• Cost• Technology• Lack of Funding• Public Awareness

MOVING FORWARD

Opportunities

• Best Management Practices

• Technology– Management Tools

• Private Lands Environmental Services– Water Storage, recharge, wetlands,

wildlife

Thank You!

OFFICE OF AGRICULTURAL WATER POLICY

www.FloridaAgWaterPolicy.com

Darrell SmithAssistant Director850-617-1700Darrell.Smith@freshfromflorida.com