Florida farmers operate in a unique environment, including sandy soils, variable weather (heavy rain, droughts, freezes, etc.), and sensitive water resources. To protect water quality and ensure long-term productivity, the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) developed Best Management Practices (BMPs) focusing on farm operations.

Water BMPs are Individual practices or combination-based research, field-testing, and expert review that have been determined to be the most effective and practicable means for maintaining or improving water quality. These practices are implemented to prevent and reduce pollution while maintaining farm profitability, and must be based on science, measurable, and economically viable.

Potential Water Quality Impacts From Farm Activity

There are a couple of negative effects that farmers can have on water quality when not handling water properly on their farms. These include:

• Excess of Nutrients in the Water: Excess of N and P are the most common causes of water quality impairments in Florida.

• Excess Algal growth: Most algae are beneficial for ecosystems. However, algae blooms and noxious weeds can negatively affect these water bodies. Algae blooms are mostly caused by the mishandling of fertilizer when plenty of N is deposited in water bodies.

• Sedimentation: Occurs when eroded soils are washed into surface water, creating a buildup of solids on the bottom and water turbidity.

• Fecal coliforms: Fecal coliforms from wildlife, uncompacted manure, and improperly treated or applied biosolids can cause water quality degradation.

Benefits of Implementing Water BMPs

Farmer that enrolled in the FDACS water BMP program or implement any of the water BMP practices within their farms can have the following benefits:

1. When enrolling in the FDACS water BMP program:
   • A presumption of compliance with water quality standards for the pollutants addressed by the BMPs.
   • Technical assistance with BMP implementation.
   • Eligibility for cost-share for certain BMPs.
2. Some BMPs increase production efficiency and reduce costs.
3. Improve the water quality of the farm and possibly adjacent areas.

It is important to know that the implantation of BMP within a farm does not exclude farmers from other water regulatory requirements.

Water BMPs and How to Implement Them.

There are numerous ways farmers can implement water BMPs within their farms, minimizing negative effects in the environment while at the same time helping the management and profitability of their operations. Some of these practices include:

• Field and Bed Preparation: Proper field and bed preparation sets the foundation for water management success. Preparing land for crop production involves soil tillage and cultivation, with fields, beds, and drainage ditches all influencing stormwater runoff. Managing soil compaction is important to avoid runoff of water that can deposit pollutants in nearby water bodies. Farmers should avoid operating in areas with steep slopes to reduce erosion, and in Florida’s high rainfall and water table conditions, drainage ditches are essential to minimize pollution.

• Nutrient Management and Irrigation: Nutrient management is extremely important when implementing water BMPs. Based on the 4Rs, right source, right rate, right time, and right place, these best practices include regular soil testing, split applications to match crop needs, avoiding fertilization before heavy rain, incorporating fertilizers to reduce runoff, and keeping detailed records. These steps are essential in Florida, where water resources are sensitive to nutrient loading, helping reduce N and P losses on the farm while protecting water quality.

• Irrigation System Designed: A typical irrigation system includes a water supply, pipes for conveyance, distribution devices like nozzles, and control mechanisms such as moisture sensors on the most sophisticated systems. In Florida, drip irrigation is commonly used for vegetable production because it efficiently delivers low-pressure water directly to the crop root zone, minimizing pollutants while increasing water efficiency. Effective irrigation management depends on crop water needs, soil conditions, and weather, while avoiding overirrigation and adjusting practices for crop establishment, frost protection, and drought issues.

• Cover Crops: Cover crops are grown to protect and enhance soil conditions between main crop planting schedules. They help improve soil structure by adding organic matter, increasing soil fertility, and enhancing water-holding capacity. By improving soil tilth, cover crops also support stronger, more sustainable crop production over the long term. Some cover crops can also be used as a method to control nematodes.

• Erosion Control Measures: Erosion is the process by which soil is detached and transported by natural forces such as gravity, water, and wind. To reduce soil loss, erosion control practices are used to slow water flow, prevent sediment from leaving fields, and trap debris in runoff. The rate at which soil erosion occurs is influenced by several factors, including the intensity and duration of rainfall, the soil’s erodibility or composition, the landscape of the field, the amount of vegetative cover, and the type of tillage practices used.

• IPM: Integrated Pest Management (IPM) aims to reduce pest control costs, conserve energy, and minimize risks to people, animals, and the environment. It is focused on 5 steps, including identifying pests correctly on important plants, regularly monitoring pest activity, using established action thresholds to guide decisions, preventing pest problems before they start, and combining multiple management strategies. IPM incorporates several control methods, including biological control (using natural enemies), physical/mechanical control (such as barriers or traps, and the use of machines), cultural control (practices that limit pest survival and spread), and chemical control (the careful use of pesticides when necessary).

Conclusion

Water Best Management Practices (BMPs) provide Florida small farmers with practical, science-based strategies to protect water quality while maintaining efficient and profitable operations. By adopting practices such as proper nutrient management, irrigation efficiency, cover crops, and soil conservation, farmers can reduce environmental impacts and improve long-term sustainability. Ultimately, BMPs help safeguard Florida’s water resources while strengthening the resilience and productivity of local farms.

For more information about Water BMPs or information on how to enroll in the BMP program, please visit the FDACS Best Management Practices (BMPs) website or read the “Ask IFAS” publication called: “Drip Irrigation: The BMP Era—An Integrated Approach to Water and Fertilizer Management for Vegetables Grown with Plasticulture”.

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