Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services Agricultural

Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services Agricultural Best Management Practices (BMP) Program Blue-Green Algae Task Force June 12, 2019

What are BMPs? Management Strategies, Tools and Practices Improve water quality, conserve water and protect the environment

BMP Manuals Coming Soon! Florida Small Farms Practice Categories: Nutrient Management Irrigation Management Water Resource Protection

How Are Site-Specific BMPs Determined? Site - specific evaluation tailored to the features of individual properties • • • Soil types Slope Water features Size of property Existing infrastructure, i. e. irrigation Technological ability of producer • Cost share available to assist with implementation

How Do We Know That Agricultural Producers Are Following BMPs? • Required by Rule 5 M-1 F. A. C. • Annual Certification –electronic and/or staff assisted • Implementation Verification Site Visit – Performed year round through field staff site visits • In the NEEPA and in any other adopted BMAP, agricultural producers must either implement appropriate BMPs or monitor their water quality to prove that they meet state water quality standards. • FDACS has referred landowners to the FDEP for enforcement of the water quality monitoring provision.

Thank You! http: //www. freshfromflorida. com/Divisions. Offices/Agricultural-Water-Policy Bonnie Wolff Pelaez Program Planning Coordinator (850)688 -0833 Bonnie. Wolff. Pelaez@Fresh. From. Florida. com