Best Management Practices Data Needed from Farmers
Florida farmers and ranchers are encouraged to participate in an upcoming survey on Best Management Practices (BMP) implementation to show the Legislature and the public that agriculture is serious about the sustainability of our water resources.
Starting in January 2018, the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services will contact producers to collect BMP implementation data. This collection process will remain confidential and exempt from public disclosure.
Data will be collected in a variety of ways depending on several factors:
- For farmers in the EAA/C-139 basins with 40E-63 permits, BMP implementation status
will be determined by the status of compliance with the farmer’s
40E-63 permit information that is supplied by South Florida Water Management District.
- For farmers who either enrolled or had an Implementation Assurance site visit with
FDACS field staff since April, the field staff will complete the verification based on their knowledge of the operations and will contact the producers only if additional information is needed.
- For farmers with more than five Notices-of-Intent (NOIs) (approximately 400 throughout Florida), the FDACS field staff will initiate the contact and walk through the verification with the farmer.
- For farmers with five or fewer NOIs, FDAC will send a notification by email and regular mail asking them to either complete an on-line self-verification or contact FDACS field staff for assistance.
- All farmers will also receive a notification of this process with appropriate instructions by Jan. 1.
Florida agriculture has a positive story to tell about how farmers and ranchers are working to protect water quality and encourage water conservation. Your participation will help FDACS deliver this important message to the Florida Legislature.
