October 23, 1997
Crawford Presents Ag-Environmental Leadership Award To Anclote River Ranch
DAYTONA BEACH -- Florida Agriculture Commissioner Bob Crawford has presented the "1997 Commissioner's Agricultural-Environmental Leadership Award" to Jay B. Starkey Jr., owner of the Anclote River Ranch in Odessa, in Pasco County. The award was presented on October 20 during a breakfast ceremony at the Florida Farm Bureau's annual convention in Daytona Beach.
"This award recognizes the environmentally innovative agricultural practices implemented by Florida growers and ranchers, which all too often go unnoticed," Crawford said. "Today's farmer is constantly pioneering ways to ensure a continuing supply of food without degrading the land and water that produced it. The Anclote River Ranch is a prime example of the success of these efforts."
The Anclote River Ranch embraces much of the Anclote River headwaters and features a diverse terrain comprised of sand pine ridges, turkey oak uplands, flatwoods, cypress heads, riverine hammocks and swamp. The property was purchased in 1937 and consolidated into 16,000 contiguous acres. Jay B. Starkey Jr., son of the original owner, assumed ownership of the cattle operation in 1966.
The Southwest Water Management District purchased 8,000 acres of pristine forest and wetlands, which were used for the Starkey Well Field and a county park. In 1996, the Florida Department of Transportation purchased 3,500 acres for mitigation purposes related to construction of the Suncoast Parkway. A small portion of the ranch has been divested for real estate development. As a result, the ranch now covers 3,500 acres, with about 600 head of cattle.
In addition to being known as a producer of high-quality feeder calves, the Anclote River Ranch has a long reputation for its environmental stewardship practices. The ranch has been a leader in reforestation of long leaf pine and increasing the diversity of natural plant populations. Wildlife management programs provide for enhanced wildlife food supply, cover, roosting sites, population and health control, and state biological surveys.
Water impoundment and stream flow restrictions have conserved water resources and improved pasture productivity. Two 60-acre lakes were created and now provide major water impoundments, as well as being stocked with grass carp and game fish. The impoundments also are used as a nursery area for wetland plant propagation. The use of such practices as rotational grazing, controlled burning, and elimination of over-grazing has increased the overall carrying capacity of the land.
Starkey also takes an active role in promoting stewardship by conducting ranch tours for school children, business leaders and environmental organizations, and he is a speaker at numerous public forums.
Applications for the award were received earlier this year by a screening committee composed of scientific and technical experts with the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. The winner was selected by a 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 Game and Fresh Water Fish Commission, Florida's Soil and Water Conservation Districts, Florida Citrus Mutual, and the Florida Forestry Association.
Note to news media organizations: A broadcast-quality videotape outlining the accomplishments at the Anclote River Ranch is available from the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. News organizations interested in obtaining a copy of the video should contact Walt Land, Rick Lurding or Gary Seamans at (850) 487-8000 or (850) 487-8180. Specify beta or 3/4-inch format.
