October 15, 2004
Bronson To Present Environmental Leadership Awards During Ceremony In Orlando
Florida Agriculture Commissioner Charles H. Bronson will present awards to three agricultural operations in recognition of their leadership in promoting progressive environmental practices.
The 2004 Commissioner’s Agricultural-Environmental Leadership Awards will be presented during a breakfast ceremony at the Florida Farm Bureau Federation’s annual meeting in Orlando on Friday, October 29. The awards program is now in its 11th year and has recognized a total of 35 winners.
“The Ag-Environmental Leadership Award program spotlights the environmentally innovative farming practices of our state’s growers and ranchers,” Bronson said. “Nominees for the awards come from different parts of Florida’s agricultural industry, but they all share a commitment to protect and preserve Florida’s resources while continuing to provide agricultural products for our people.”
This year’s winners are:
Blue Heron Groves, in Lakeland
M&B
Products, Inc., in Tampa
Stan Carter of McArthur Farms Inc., Citrus
Division, in Port St. Lucie
Nominations for the awards were received earlier this year by a screening committee composed of scientific and technical experts with the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, which selected the finalists. The three winners were then selected from the group of finalists by a selection committee made up of representatives from The Nature Conservancy, the state’s Water Management Districts, the Florida Farm Bureau, the Florida Cattlemen’s Association, the Florida Dairy Association, the Florida Department of Environmental Protection, the Florida Fruit and Vegetable Association, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, Florida’s Soil and Water Conservation Districts, Florida Citrus Mutual, the Florida Nursery, Growers and Landscape Association, and the Florida Forestry Association.
“This year was one like no other for Florida’s agricultural community,” Bronson said. “Our state’s farmers and ranchers suffered devastating losses as a result of Hurricanes Charley, Frances, Ivan and Jeanne. That holds true for two of this year’s award winners, whose operations sustained severe damage only weeks after they were named as winners.”
Said Bronson: “This year’s hurricane season is a reminder of something we know all too well -- that we’re no match for Mother Nature. Decades, even generations, of hard work can be nearly wiped from the face of the earth in minutes. But the same dedication and innovation that built Florida’s farming operations will also be the catalyst for rebuilding this proud industry in the months and years ahead. The men and women of Florida agriculture are up to the challenge.”
Contact information: The 2004 Agricultural-Environmental
Awards will be presented during a breakfast ceremony held during the
Florida Farm Bureau Federation’s annual meeting.
Date: Friday,
October 29, 2004
Time: 7:30 a.m.
Location: Walt Disney Coronado Springs Resort in Orlando
Contact: Scott
Christmas, Florida Farm Bureau, (352) 378-8100 ext. 1030
Video available: A Beta SP broadcast-quality videotape outlining the accomplishments of the three winners is available from the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. News organizations interested in obtaining a copy of the videotape should contact Walt Land or Gary Seamans at (850) 487-8000.
Photos - Blue Heron Groves
Photo 1 JPG-ZIP PDF
Garvie Hall, foreground, with grove foreman in Punta Gorda citrus grove.
Photo 2 JPG-ZIP PDF
Garvie Hall walks through citrus grove in Punta Gorda.
Photo 3 JPG-ZIP PDF
Garvie Hall at deep-well pump station in Punta Gorda citrus grove.
Photo 4 JPG-ZIP PDF
Garvie Hall checks oranges on trees in Punta Gorda grove.
Photos - M&B Products, Inc.
Photo 1 JPG-ZIP PDF
State-of-the-art free-stall barn at the M&B Products diary located
in Lecanto.
Photo 2 JPG-ZIP PDF
Milking parlor at the M&B Products dairy located in Lecanto.
Photo 3 JPG-ZIP PDF
Dale McClellan, president of M&B Products Inc.
Photo 4 JPG-ZIP PDF
Reuse water is sprayed on hayfields at the Lecanto dairy.
Photos - Stan Carter, McArthur Farms, Inc.
Photo 1 JPG-ZIP PDF
Waterways in the Fort Pierce area are popular fishing spots.
Photo 2 JPG-ZIP PDF
Canals and ditches hold rainwater which is used for irrigation of the
groves.
Photo 3 JPG-ZIP PDF
Stan Carter, Citrus Division manager, McArthur Farms, Inc.
Photo 4 JPG-ZIP PDF
Best Management Practices (BMPs) help protect the St. Lucie River.
