Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Wilton Simpson has announced the 2023 winners of the Agricultural-Environmental Leadership Award: Brite Leaf Citrus Nursery, Island Grove Wine Company, and Rocking K Cattle. The Agricultural-Environmental Leadership Award has been presented annually since 1994 and spotlights environmentally innovative growers and ranchers who share a commitment to protecting and preserving Florida’s resources while continuing to produce the world-class agricultural goods.

Learn why the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) chose these operations as the 2023 winners of the Agricultural-Environmental Leadership Award.

Brite Leaf Citrus Nursery, located near Lake Panasoffkee, specializes in the growth of commercial, retail, and wholesale citrus trees within fully enclosed, inspect-proof greenhouses spanning 90,000 square feet. Owners Nate and Anna Jameson prioritize land sustainability and have implemented eco-friendly measures to reduce water and fertilizer usage through best management practices.

Transitioning from overhead to drip irrigation has resulted in 60% water savings, reducing water consumption from 24,000 to less than 10,000 gallons per day. Brite Leaf Citrus Nursery also employs coconut coir, a sustainable by-product of coconut oil, as their potting medium due to its sanitation properties and compatibility with a liquid fertigation system. Outside the greenhouses, the nursery has planted pine trees as windbreaks and to create natural habitats for local wildlife. Brite Leaf Citrus Nursery also is a recipient of the Florida Farm Bureau CARES award.

https://www.growingproduce.com/citrus/here-are-floridas-2023-agricultural-environmental-leadership-award-winners/

Island Grove Wine Company in Hawthorne, FL, encompasses a blueberry farm, a nursery, and a winery. Owner and founder Ken Patterson, along with his nephew-in-law Jerod and daughter Sarah, diligently implement best management practices across their locations in Putnam, Alachua, and DeSoto counties. Sustainability and the production of a safe product are paramount to the Island Grove family. The North Florida operation operates entirely on organic production, utilizing drip soil water conservation techniques, drain tile systems to minimize runoff, organic weed control measures, grass buffers for nutrient filtration, wetland conservation, and wildflower areas to support native pollinators.

Notably, Island Grove maximizes its harvest by transforming leftover fruit into wine, effectively achieving zero waste. Island Grove wines can be found in prominent retail chains such as Publix, Target, Whole Foods, and Total Wine across Florida, Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi, and Louisiana. Island Grove Wine Company, too, is a recipient of the Farm Bureau CARES award.

Rocking K Cattle, located in Odessa, FL, stands out for its sustainable cattle ranching and hay production. Kelly Fulford, who operates Rocking K Cattle has implemented multiple best management practices from FDACS to safeguard water quality and local wildlife. By employing rotational grazing across seven cross-fence pastures, Kelly provides fresh forage to cattle while allowing the land to recuperate. To prevent erosion, feeding areas and mineral boxes are rotated and placed away from sensitive areas. Using GPS-guided systems, precise nutrient application is based on soil test results. Kelly also diligently preserves the water quality of natural ditches and cypress ponds on her property.

For more information about the Agricultural-Environmental Award and its history, visit FDACS.gov.