Together Florida, a coalition of primarily agricultural organizations focused on water issues, has launched a website advocating for solutions to harmful algae blooms. The website includes information on algae blooms and best management practices that agriculture employs to conserve water and protect water quality.
“Together Florida was created to provide a broad coalition advocating for a comprehensive solution to harmful algae blooms in Florida waters as well as policies to protect water quality for years to come,” said Michael W. Sparks, executive vice president/CEO of Florida Citrus Mutual, a member of the coalition. “This is not just about agriculture. We all need to take responsibility for protecting Florida’s water resources, and that means residents, businesses, municipalities, utilities and others in addition to agriculture.”
Other members of the coalition are:
- Proudly Afilliated
- Florida Fruit & Vegetable Association
- Florida Farm Bureau
- Florida Nursery Growers & Landscape Association
- Florida Strawberry Growers Association
- Florida Blueberry Growers Association
- Gulf Citrus Growers Association
- Sugar Cane Growers Cooperative of Florida
- U.S. Sugar
- Florida Crystals Corporation
- Florida Cattlemen’s Association
- Southeast Milk
- Turfgrass Producers of Florida
- Florida Turfgrass Association
- Environmental Research and Education Foundation
- Florida Golf Course Superintendents Association
- Florida Agribusiness Council
- Florida Land Council
- Florida Fertilizer & Agrichemical Association
- Hopping Green & Sams, PA
- University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences
A key legislative priority of the coalition is providing adequate funding for the Office of Agricultural Water Policy in the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. Among other numerous legislative priorities are supporting additional funding for the continued construction of aquifer storage and recovery wells within the Northern Everglades to reduce estuary discharges from Lake Okeechobee, and supporting additional funding for storage and treatment of water on public lands north of Lake Okeechobee.
Learn more about water supply and quality challenges facing Florida agriculture.
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