South Floridians enjoy a wide variety of fresh, locally grown foods harvested right in our backyards. There is a vast farmland here in the Everglades Agricultural Area (EAA), with each farmer specializing in crops they’ve been growing and harvesting for generations. Whether its leafy greens, exotic fruits, sweet corn, green beans, sugarcane or rice, there is one thing all farmers in the EAA share in common — our commitment to being mindful stewards of the land and water.
Last month, the South Florida Water Management District announced EAA farmers this year achieved a 62% annual phosphorus reduction, which is more than double the 25% reduction required under Florida’s 1996 Everglades Forever Act.
Paul R. Orsenigo is the president of Grower’s Management, Inc. (courtesy, Paul R. Orsenigo)
EAA farmers are among the most regulated in the country. With the EAA being one of the most fertile farmlands in the United States, farmers make sure to treat the land and water with great care so it stays this way. We want to protect our way of life and preserve family legacies for generations to come.
Since the program began three decades ago, EAA farmers’ clean water efforts have averaged a 57% annual reduction. We accomplish this by implementing best management practices (BMPs) and cutting-edge innovation to promote healthier water and soil.
On our farm in Belle Glade, we have worked to feed our family, local community and customers around the country for over 40 years. We grow a variety of wholesome foods including sweet corn, rice, lettuce and other leafy greens, including parsley and cilantro.
We practice sustainability every day at our farm. We’ve integrated a number of practices, including employing a balanced crop rotation program, which is a foundational piece of the BMP program, along with soil preservation techniques such as sediment control to promote regenerative soil, and regular soil testing to ensure nutritional inputs are appropriate for our crops. To preserve water quality and minimize water use, we use strategies such as ditch bank stabilization, land leveling, and water retention systems to capture and reuse rainfall effectively.
I believe that when food is grown with real dedication, care and a commitment to the land, you can taste the difference.
EAA farmers are proud to celebrate this milestone, demonstrating a 30-year commitment to sustainability, which has resulted in the removal of thousands of metric tons of phosphorus in the water since the program began.
We look forward to extending this commitment to our soil, our water and our land, for many decades to come.
The next time you step into a grocery store, I invite you to look for the “Fresh from Florida” label, not only because it supports family farmers, local economies and American food security, but also because you’re helping to preserve a sustainable way of life and pass down something special to the next generation.
Paul R. Orsenigo is the president of Grower’s Management, Inc., and former chairman of the Florida Fruit and Vegetable Association.