Agriculture Best Management Practices Overview LEAD Workshop October 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

O FFICE OF A GRICULTURAL W ATER P OLICY

Watershed Restoration Act Section , 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 M ANUALS

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-Irrigation Drip Irrigation

A GRICULTURE P ROGRESS

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)

Enrollment Map

SWFWMD FARMS Program 71 Projects saving ~14 mgd

Water Conservation Program Mobile Irrigation Labs

BMP Implementation Assurance

A GRICULTURE C HALLENGES

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

M OVING F ORWARD

Opportunities Best Management Practices Technology – Management Tools Private Lands Environmental Services – Water Storage, recharge, wetlands, wildlife

Thank You! O FFICE OF A GRICULTURAL W ATER P OLICY Darrell Smith Assistant Director