Past and Present Putnals:
Rooted in Suwannee County, Florida, Putnal Farms is a multi-generational farm led by father and son Jack and Riley Putnal. Together, they bring nearly six decades of farming experience, with Jack beginning his career in the 1970’s and Riley later following in his footsteps. Their 4000-acre farm includes a rotation of cattle, pasture, peanuts, iron clay peas, watermelons, and even sweet corn. Today, the operation is still managed by Jack and Riley with support from Riley’s twin daughters, Brooke and Britney, and Riley’s sister Jennifer who runs the farm office.
Master Drip Irrigators:
In 2025, the Master Irrigator Drip Irrigation Short Course was introduced by Jay Capasso, Northeast Florida Regional Specialized Extension Agent for Water Resources in collaboration with local county Extension agents. This course is designed to bring together industry professionals, hands-on demonstrations, and funding programs that assist growers with implementing practices and technologies to enhance irrigation efficiency. This short course is specifically targeting watermelon growers in the Suwannee Valley area, which is right up the Putnal’s alley with 600 acres of watermelon grown every year.
The Putnals themselves are creative when it comes to irrigation; it wouldn’t be odd to see an overhead pivot being taken apart and moved from field to field or Riley designing his own automation system for the watermelon season. This creativity has made the Putnals leaders in implementing innovative irrigation practices. Riley is on track to become a certified Master Irrigator; he attended the first workshop that was held back in November of 2025. The long-term goal is for growers to get an added incentive or benefit from vendors or agriculture agencies once the certificate is completed. Although the Florida Master Irrigator Program does not currently offer a financial incentive, similar programs in other states provide cost-share or additional benefits to certified growers. The goal is to build partnerships with vendors and agricultural agencies that could support incentives for Florida growers in the future.
Practices by the Putnals:
The Putnal family is very active in implementing Best Management Practices (BMPs) on their farm. They utilize the Agricultural Cost Share Program through the Suwannee River Water Management District (SRWMD) by applying for and contracting items such as drip irrigation automation systems, soil moisture sensors, and stationary fertigation systems. These items are key components when it comes to irrigating and fertilizing not only watermelons, but other crops as well, while also conserving water and protecting Florida’s natural resources.
Along with SRWMD, the Putnals also work closely with UF/IFAS Extension. One practice that the Putnals have used to inform their nutrient management program for many years is the use of petiole sap meters (LAQUA Meters). Petiole sap meters are used to determine the amount of nitrate-nitrogen and potassium levels that are detected in the plant. These two nutrients are required in large amounts to support adequate crop nutrition, but they can also readily leach through Florida’s sandy soils, making proper management essential. Because the Putnals have fine-tuned the use of the sap meters into their watermelon program, they have been able to deliver a high yielding and good quality crop while using nutrients in the recommended ranges from UF/IFAS.
More on the Meters:
The petiole sap testing meters help growers monitor nutrient levels and maintain compliance with BMP nutrient management guidelines, while also reducing the risk of leaching and helping achieve maximum crop yield. Petiole sap testing is already making a measurable difference for watermelon growers in the Suwannee Valley. Extension agents from seven different counties reported in February of 2024 that the region grows around 8,000 acres of watermelons each growing season.
Growers who participated in the UF/IFAS petiole sap testing program have confidently been able to adjust their fertigation schedules using real-time nutrient data. As a result, they have been able to reduce fertigation by an average of one full week, cutting nutrient applications by about 1.75 pounds per acre per day during that time. Across the 5,640 acers involved in the program, these adjustments have resulted in an estimated seasonal reduction of more than 69,000 pounds of nitrogen, demonstrating how informed nutrient management can lead to meaningful conversation gains.
Going Forward:
The Putnals’ commitment to BMPs reflects the true meaning of good land stewardship. With the path they are going, they will easily be able to adapt to new, best management practices and agricultural technologies. The goal is for Riley to hold the title of a Master Irrigator, which proves how aware he is of water conservation and BMPs. Overall, the Putnal family understands what it takes to be successful and environmentally conscious in farming.
Authors: Kelsey Crain, Bob Hochmuth, and Jay Capasso
University of Florida, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences; North Florida Research and Education Center – Suwannee Valley
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