TALLAHASSEE, Fla.–Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Adam H. Putnam today announced the recipients of the Commissioner’s Agricultural-Environmental Leadership Award, which recognizes the environmentally innovative farming techniques of Florida’s farmers and ranchers. This year’s recipients are: Jim Strickland of Blackbeards’ Ranch in Manatee County, Chuck Allison of Wild Goose Farms in Umatilla, and James Shinn of Shinn Groves/ Tree O’Groves in Lake Alfred.
Florida’s Commissioner of Agriculture has presented this award annually since 1994 to Florida’s growers and ranchers who are committed to preserving Florida’s resources while providing agricultural products.
Wild Goose Farms, owned and operated by Chuck Allison, is a family-run, 905-acre farm. The family operation includes citrus, blueberries, cattle and hay. To maximize irrigation and fertilizer efficiency, reduce leaching and deep percolation, Allison implemented a multifaceted approach to water conservation and nutrient management, including soil moisture sensors, drip irrigation and a fertilizer injection system. In their blueberry production, this technology reduced water usage by 20 percent and increased the yield by 30 percent. Due to the success with their blueberries, Allison recently replicated this technology in their citrus production. Wild Goose Farms emphasizes environmental stewardship through an outreach program of farm tours, workshops, local school programs and student visits.
2018 Agricultural Environmental Award :: Wild Goose Farms (youtube.com)