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  • Beginning Farmer

Small Farms and Alternative Enterprises

Small Farms and Alternative Enterprises

Irrigation, Fertilization and Best Management Practices (BMPs)

Best Management Practices (BMPs) are practices used to protect the environment and especially to prevent pollution of ground and surface water.

Did you know that many of Florida’s water bodies are considered impaired for excessive nutrients?  As stewards of the land, Florida farmers are adopting Best Management practices to do their part in preventing pollution and improving Florida’s water quality.  Understanding the efficient use of irrigation and fertilizer is just one key to protecting water quality. 

Livestock producers can also help by implementing practices to prevent animals and their waste from entering our surface and ground water.  Take a look at resources related to BMPs below and note the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services oversees the regulatory program, enrolling farms in a commitment to implement these practices.  Farms enrolling in the program are presumed compliant with regulations to protect water quality.  See our Production pages for additional information. 

  • BMP Resources
    • Best Management Practices Program – UF/IFAS
    • Agricultural Best Management Practices – Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services
    • Water Planning, Permits and Policy - Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services
    • Environmental Quality Incentives Program – NRDS-USDA
    • Energy Efficiency Incentives - Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services
  • Irrigation
    • Drip-Irrigation Systems for Small Conventional Vegetable Farms and Organic Vegetable Farms – UF/IFAS
    • Irrigation Publications – UF/IFAS
    • Mobile Irrigation Labs
    • Florida’s Water Permitting Portal
  • Weather Tools and Apps
    • Florida Automated Weather Network (FAWN) – UF/IFAS
    • AgroClimate
    • Smart Irrigation Apps
  • Soil and Nutrients
    • Fertilization and Nutrition Publications – UF/IFAS
    • Soil Health and Sustainability Publications – UF/IFAS
    • Nutrient Management Publications – UF/IFAS: 
    • See our Diagnostics page for soil testing and other services
  • Additional Resources
    • Agricultural Law and Regulation Publications (including water)– UF/IFAS
    • Handbook of Florida Agricultural Laws– UF/IFAS 
  • Video Playlist
    • Youtube Channel - UF/IFAS Extension Small Farms and Alternative Enterprises Program BMP Playlist
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Florida Small Farms and Alternative Enterprises
P.O. Box 110810 Gainesville, FL 32611
(352) 392-1761

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