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Adam H. Putnam, Commissioner    -    Richard J. Budell, Director

Agricultural BMPs At a Glance

Description of Agricultural Best Management Practices (BMPs)

  • Agricultural BMPs are practical, cost-effective actions that agricultural producers can take to reduce the amount of pesticides, fertilizers, animal waste, and other pollutants entering our water resources, and to increase water-use efficiencies.

  • BMPs are designed to benefit water quality and water conservation while maintaining or even enhancing agricultural production.

  • The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) develops and adopts BMPs by rule for different types of agricultural operations. Most of the BMPs are outlined in specific manuals, which can be found on this website.

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Purpose of Agricultural Best Management Practices (BMPs)

  • Florida law provides for farmers to reduce their impacts to water quality through the implementation of BMPs adopted by FDACS. In some cases, agricultural BMPs are required.

  • The Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) is developing Total Maximum Daily Loads (TMDLs; target levels for specific pollutants in impaired waterbodies), and will develop Basin Management Action Plans (BMAPs) for many of these TMDLs.

  • Implementing BMPs benefits both the farmer and the environment, and demonstrates Agriculture’s commitment to water resource protection.

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Agricultural Best Management Practices (BMPs)
  • Agricultural BMPs have been adopted/are being developed for:
    • Citrus Groves (adopted)
    • Vegetable and Agronomic Crops (adopted)
    • Container Nurseries (adopted)
    • Cow/calf Operations (adopted)
    • Equine Operations (soon to be adopted)
    • Sod Farms (adopted)
    • Specialty Fruit and Nut Operations (adopted)
    • Conservation Plans for Specified Operations (adopted)
You can access BMP manuals at http://www.floridaagwaterpolicy.com/BestManagementPractices.html.

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Implementation of Agricultural Best Management Practices (BMPs)

  • Farmers submit a Notice of Intent (NOI) to implement the FDACS BMPs that are applicable to their operations.

  • In some areas of the state, farmers develop site-specific conservation plans that contain the appropriate BMPs.

  • In areas with FDEP-adopted BMAPs that include agriculture, farmers must implement BMPs or conduct water quality monitoring.

  • Implementation of FDACS-adopted BMPs provides a presumption of compliance with state water quality standards.

  • FDACS has a long-term commitment to enlisting and providing assistance to farmers to implement BMPs.

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Involvement in Agricultural Best Management Practices (BMPs)

  • OAWP Tallahassee and field staff work directly with farmers and agricultural representatives to assist them in understanding and implementing BMPs.

  • OAWP also contracts with entities such as the University of Florida’s Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (IFAS), the Water Management Districts, the Soil and Water Conservation Districts, the Resource Conservation and Development Councils, and private-sector entities to provide cost-share, educational, and technical assistance.

  • OAWP has an “Implementation Assurance” program, to follow up with farmers statewide and help ensure that BMPs are being implemented properly.

  • As funding allows, OAWP will be working with FDEP, IFAS, the Water Management Districts, and others to monitor the effectiveness of BMPs in protecting water quality.

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