Wilton Simpson’s updates to farming practices get warm welcome from agriculture industry

Agricultural businesses throughout Florida have now updated Best Management Practices (BMP) to help guide them through changing developments.

Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Wilton Simpson has detailed the completion of updates to nine agricultural Best Management Practices manuals for the state. The BMP manuals provide guidance on improving water quality and handling smaller farms and livestock, among other areas included in the documents.

Simpson’s office is touting the manual updates, bringing the first revisions in about two decades for many of the manuals and including advancements in agricultural science and oversight of multiple practices for farmers. The manual revising project started about two years ago when Simpson took office.

“Florida’s farmers, ranchers, and growers are the original stewards of our land and water resources, and these updates ensure they have the latest, most effective tools to continue producing the safe, affordable, and abundant food supply we all rely on,” said Simpson.

“These Best Management Practices manuals, updated in partnership with the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), the University of Florida (UF), and industry partners, provide real solutions that benefit both Florida’s natural resources and our agricultural economy.”

UF Senior Vice President for Agriculture and Natural Resources Scott Angle said the manual updates were long overdue.

“I commend Commissioner Simpson for the completion of updating all the agricultural BMP manuals. It was a huge undertaking and essential to Florida agriculture,” said Angle, the leader of the UF Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences. “Sound science is a foundation of Florida farmers’ success. They rely on research that demonstrates what works in the field, in the grove, and on the ranch. Commissioner Simpson is to be lauded for focusing on evidence-based agricultural practices that provide guidance on how farmers can best achieve water quality goals and support their livelihoods.”

Many in the agricultural industry have welcomed the revisions.

“Florida growers and ranchers have long been leaders in the implementation of Best Management Practices to help grow our nation’s food supply and protect our state’s natural resources for future generations,” said Florida Fruit and Vegetable Association President Mike Joyner. “We are grateful to Commissioner Simpson for leading and prioritizing this significant effort to make needed updates to the BMP manuals. These new BMPs better align with the water quality goals of the program and ensure the overall requirements are practical and economically viable for growers.”