Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Wilton Simpson has tasked his staff with reviewing and revising all of the best management practices (BMP) manuals that impact Florida agricultural operations in 2024.
Revision work on the citrus BMP manual was undertaken by the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) Office of Agricultural Water Policy in 2020. However, that work was never completed and submitted for the final rule-making process. So, the practices outlined in the 2012 edition of Water Quality/Quantity Best Management Practices for Florida Citrus are currently the law that enrolled citrus growers can be held accountable to.
The FDACS staff group, along with some citrus industry representatives, recently started work on the citrus BMP manual. It is expected that a few additional citrus production experts will be asked to join the effort in the coming weeks. The goal is to create a more concise citrus BMP manual that clearly explains what state law requires. The manual should also tell how to implement applicable BMPs and what recordkeeping and documentation growers are required to maintain and share during an implementation verification audit.
FDACS also plans to revise its audit training protocols for both its employees and growers to assist in maximum and effective BMP compliance.
Highlands County Citrus Growers Association (HCCGA) is involved in the manual revision process. Growers who think any aspects of the 2012 Citrus BMP manual or the audit process should be addressed are asked to contact HCCGA Executive Director Ray Royce at rroyce@hccga.com.
The FDACS Office of Agricultural Water Policy works with agricultural producers and other private and public entities to develop and implement BMPs addressing both water quality and water conservation. The office describes BMPs as practical, cost-effective actions that agricultural producers can take to conserve water and reduce the amount of fertilizers, animal waste and other pollutants entering Florida’s water resources.
Source: HCCGA
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