Of all states, Florida has the highest percentage (pdf) of the land area in grass. Our “water supply” problems mostly are “wasteful irrigation” problems. John Green is not a fan of this landscaping practice: … Continue reading
Category Archives: Agriculture and water
As a result of all the conflicting claims about the projected cost of new water quality criteria for nutrients in Florida lakes and streams, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency commissioned an independent economic study. Experts appointed by the National Research … Continue reading
I am glad to see that Eric Draper, executive director of Florida Audubon, is calling on the South Florida Water Management District to do more to protect Lake Okeechobee in the current drought. Draper’s letter to the SFWMD points out … Continue reading
Barry Estabook’s new Tomatoland book covers a major sector of Florida’s agricultural economy. How did tomato farming in this state rise to such prominence? Florida just happens to be warm enough for a tomato to survive at a time of … Continue reading
Most agricultural irrigation in Florida is done by giant corporate operations, not by small family farms. Irrigation systems are expensive to install and maintain, especially on a small scale, and only 5,250 of Florida’s 47,500 farms have irrigation systems. Of … Continue reading