Delores L. Walker, Free Press Reporter

Helen Gonzalez, Barbara Jo Hewitt, Brack Jackson, Donnie Land, Jimmy Prine and Shelby Strickland of Lafayette County were among the 32 local farmers recognized for their environmental stewardship at an appreciation dinner on July 3 at the Dwight Stansel Farm and Nursery.



Farmers and growers from Suwannee, Lafayette and Dixie counties have been recognized for the past three years for their participation in the County Alliance for Responsible Environmental Stewardship (CARES) program.



The Suwannee River Partnership coordinated the event that drew a large crowd of about 600 who visited with each other as they enjoyed boiled peanuts, corn on the cob and watermelon prior to diving into a full-course meal that drew smiles and satisfied looks of pleasure from everyone.



Florida Farm Bureau and Suwannee River Partnership join with as many as 31 other agricultural associations, government agencies and corporations working together in partnership with farmers to reduce nitrate levels in the river and ground water through voluntary management programs. These agencies have helped to secure $12.3 million in funding assistance that implement best management practices at agricultural operations in the Suwannee River region. Beginning this year the program will expand to include the Santa Fe River basin and the Indian River citrus area.



Farmers selected under the CARES program have a sign placed at their farm gates proclaiming “This Farm Cares.”



The Best Management practices (BMPs) used by CARES’ farmers are used to minimize pollutants from agricultural activities from entering water resources. The implementation of BMPs is an ongoing process that takes several years to fully execute, therefore, the process requires an on-farm assessment to indicate the operation’s needs.



Once the recognition is received, on-site inspections verify continued environmental stewardship efforts through a quality assurance program. Participation in the CARES program signifies a long-term commitment to the environment.



“Farmers care about the environment,” said Frankie Hall, assistant director of Agricultural Policy for the Florida farm Bureau. “We all drink the water and live on the land, but the farmer depends on these things for his livelihood.”