June 2005 - Page 1

Volume 12 - No. 6

After three years of work, a Best Management Practices manual was created for Peace River/ Manasota Basin citrus growers.

On Wednesday, May 18, growers from Charlotte, DeSoto, Hardee, Manatee and Sarasota counties joined together at the Putnam’s El Clair Ranch. Collectively growers learned the importance of applying Best Management Practices in their operation.

The BMP Kickoff was designed to increase grower excitement about implementing BMPs.

If you were unable to attend you missed an awesome time of learning and fellowship. Many of the growers stayed after the event just to relax, visit and enjoy the beautiful surroundings.
 

BMP manuals were distributed to the growers detailing how to use the BMPs. The manuals will be updated as new technology becomes available.

“We can use information and technology, mechanical and intellectual, have some of it paid for by other partners in the programs and work toward lowered production costs and improved productivity,” said Ben Albritton Jr., Chair. “At the same time we can show the regulatory community that we are proactively working diligently on behalf of our environment.”

Several renowned speakers vocalized the importance of BMPs, including Charles Bronson, Commissioner of Agriculture; Ben Albritton, BMP Chair; Donna Clarke, house representative; Lisa Beever, Director Charlotte Harbor National Estuary; Mimi Drew, Director Water Resource Management DEP; David Moore, Executive Director SWFWMD; Dr Harold Browning, Center Director UF/IFAS Lake Alfred CREC. Barbara Carlton , PRVCGA Executive Director, served as master of ceremonies.