2018COMMISSIONER’S

AG-ENVIRONMENTALLEADERSHIP AWARDS

2018COMMISSIONER’S

AG-ENVIRONMENTALLEADERSHIP AWARDS

Since 1994, the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services has recognized agricultural enterprises that demonstrate leadership in developing and implementing innovative and progressive techniques to safeguard the environment and conserve natural resources. It is an honor to highlight the efforts and accomplishments of these environmental stewards who serve as outstanding examples of agricultural guardianship. With their help, we can preserve and maintain Florida’s abundant natural resources.

Sincerely,

Adam H. Putnam Commissioner of Agriculture

Dear Friends,

It is my great pleasure to recognize the recipients of the 2018 Commissioner’s Agricultural Environmental Leadership Award – Tree-O-Groves, Wild Goose Farms and Blackbeard’s Ranch. These outstanding operations are pioneers in utilizing environmentally sustainable practices to reduce water use, protect Florida lands and maximize efficiency.

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Built at a time when citrus was king, the Shinn’s family farm has survived a number

of challenges from plant diseases to booming development. Today, James Shinn is

taking steps to preserve this agricultural haven.

Tree-O-Groves Lake Alfred

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The Shinns have farmed in Lake Alfred for nearly 100 years. Built at the turn of the last century, the family homestead now serves as the office for Tree-O-Groves. James, his wife Deborah, and mother Betty all work for the family business.

Lake Alfred has grown up around the Shinn’s house and farm, becoming a bedroom community of Orlando and Tampa. As the fourth generation on this land, James and Deborah know how important it is to preserve it for future generations.

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Tree-O-Groves partners with University of Florida researchers to fight diseases like citrus greening. Innovative ideas, from bagging young and vulnerable trees to using reflective ribbon (inset), are environmentally friendly ways to repel the Asian citrus psyllid, the invasive insect that causes greening.

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The challenges facing Florida citrus have created opportunities for the Shinns. Committed to agriculture, the farm is diversifying into one of the state’s newest crops – peaches. Today, Tree-O-Groves is one of the largest peach producers in Central Florida.

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James and his dog Shredder enjoy spending time in the pine forest. The Shinns are committed to protecting their piece of undeveloped Central Florida, like the Green Swamp. Less than 20 miles from Walt Disney World, this protected area forms the headwaters of four major Florida rivers.

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The Shinn’s century-long legacy remains strong in Lake Alfred and is shared by longtime employees Terry Kuhn and Craig Homitz (below). For Tree-O-Groves, few things are more important than family, agriculture and the love of the land.

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At Wild Goose Farms, faith and farming go hand-in-hand. In fact, the operation

is named for the Ancient Celtic symbol of the Holy Spirit. Free, untamable and

unpredictable, the wild goose is the perfect symbol for farming.

Wild Goose Farms Umatilla

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A 905-acre property near Umatilla, Wild Goose Farms produces blueberries, citrus, cattle and hay. Owners Chuck and Vesna Allison (above) have integrated cutting edge technology to save fertilizer, fuel, and millions of gallons of water each year. Terri Martinez (left) and Travis Kuhn (opposite) help manage the farm’s technology.

Throughout the property, soil moisture probes and weather stations communicate current conditions via wireless transmitters. Using a mobile device app or computer, team members can quickly determine the status of specific plants and deliver exactly what they need with automated water and nutrition systems.

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Although citrus has been farmed in this region for more than a century, Wild Goose started from scratch by planting all new groves. Incorporating the latest irrigation and fertigation technology, Chuck believes these healthy young trees will help him battle citrus greening.

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Wild Goose is located in one of the largest blueberry production areas in the state. The farm’s new on-site packing house ships two million pounds of fruit each year. Nato Martinez (left) manages operations.

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Going beyond Best Management Practices helps Wild Goose Farms protect wildlife habitat on the property and in the nearby Ocala National Forest. The farm’s practices also safeguard the Ocklawaha River Watershed including several large lakes surrounding the property.

The culture of stewardship at Wild Goose extends to the hay and cattle business. Exotic vegetation such as Brazilian pepper is controlled so native plants can flourish. Rotational grazing provides healthy, nutritious grasses for the cattle.

2018 Commissioners Ag-Environmental Awards 17

Chuck and Vesna have three adult children that grew up on the farm and they continue to cultivate a strong family culture. A native of Chile and registered nurse, Vesna enjoys ministering to the more than 200 seasonal workers employed on the farm each year.

The Wild Goose team (right).

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One of the largest undeveloped properties left in Southwest Florida, this cow-calf

operation looks like it did hundreds of years ago. Located at the headwaters of the

Myakka River, folklore suggests this area was visited by the famous pirate looking

for a place to bury treasure.

Myakka CityBlackbeard’s Ranch

Blackbeard’s Ranch

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Jim Strickland, managing partner of Blackbeard’s Ranch, has been a cowboy for six decades and comes from a family that has been ranching in Florida since the Civil War. Julie Morris, the Florida Manager with the National Wildlife Refuge Association, works with Jim on easements and water restoration projects.

Jim has built an authentic Seminole chickee on the property to offer breaks from the South Florida sunshine. These efficient, functional structures built with native cypress and palmetto thatch have been part of the area’s landscape since the 1800s.

Ranch mascot Bone (left) rests in the shade of the chickee.

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Blackbeard’s covers more than 4500 acres and is home to a large herd of Beefmaster, Braford and Brangus cattle. Nearly a third of the property is preserved in its natural state through conservation easements. Easement programs allow farmers and ranchers to keep and manage their property rather than developing it.

The ranch’s low stocking rate allows for plenty of forage including native grasses. From the time they are calves, the cows are handled by cowboys on horses and the focus is on gentle, humane animal care. All of these steps are vital to the health of the cattle and the ranch’s bottom line.

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To maintain a profitable business, Jim has diversified into areas that complement the nature of the ranch. Bees are kept in several hundred beehives throughout the property, feeding entirely on local wildflowers. The result is Blackbeard’s brand of delicious Florida honey.

Mangalitsas are known to top chefs and fine restaurants as “the Kobe beef of the pork world.” These unique, hairy pigs roam free at Blackbeard’s Ranch and forage to their heart’s content.

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Wild sabal palms are harvested and sold. By leaving 80 percent of the trees and thinning the canopy, these harvests increase sunlight and wildlife habitat.

Heritage and rare breed chickens produce eggs in a free-range environment.

Heritage and rare breed chickens produce eggs in a free-range environment.

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Through proper stewardship, ranches like Blackbeard’s help protect more than Florida’s water and wildlife. This area contains the headwaters of the Myakkahatchee River that provides the drinking water to the city of North Port, one of the fastest growing cities in Southwest Florida.

A native Floridian and expert on its flora and fauna, Julie has identified on Blackbeard’s Ranch, what is believed to be the country’s southern most stand of native longleaf pines. Her passion is to help ranchers protect these areas before they are gone.

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The Blackbeard’s Ranch Team left to right Julie Morris, Jim Strickland, Brian Jones, Ricky Douglas and Amanda Scarborough.

The Blackbeard’s Ranch team.

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Previous Winners2017 Florida Blue Farms – Waldo Speedling – Ruskin Cindale Farms – Marianna

2016 Jones Potato Farm – Manatee and Hendry Cherrylake – Groveland Alliance Dairies – Trenton

2015 Carlton and Carlton Ranch – Hillsborough Dasher Farm – McAlpin Bull Hammock Ranch – Fort Pierce

2014 Agri-Starts, Inc. – Apopka Riverdale Potato Farm, Inc. – Elkton Milking R, Inc. – Okeechobee

2013 Kissimmee Park Properties, LLC – St. Cloud Ferris Farms – Floral City Farmton Tree Farm – Osteen

2012 Deroose Plants, Inc. – Apopka Southern Accent Farm – Okeechobee

2011 Straughn Farms, LLC – Waldo

2010 Saturiwa Conservation Area – Elkton 3 Boys Farm – Ruskin Arapaho Citrus Management – Fort Pierce

2009 Dairy Production Systems – High Springs Loop’s Nursery – Jacksonville

2008 Carroll Brothers Nursery – Clearwater Brock Family Farm – Monticello

2007 Butler Oaks Farm – Lorida Gwinn Brothers Farm – McAlpin Buck Island Ranch – Lake Placid Fraleigh Nursery – Madison

2006 Tampa Wholesale Nursery – Dover Riverview Flower Farm – Riverview Lightsey Cattle Company – Lake Wales

2005 Kerry’s Bromeliad Nursery – Homestead Larson Dairy – Okeechobee Richard N. Raid, Ph.D. – Royal Palm Beach

2004 Blue Heron Groves – Lakeland M&B Products – Tampa McArthur Farms – Port St. Lucie

2003 Williamson Cattle Company – Okeechobee Sun City Tree Farm – Ruskin Aquatica Tropicals – Plant City

2002 Holloway Irrigation Systems – Leesburg Daniel A. Botts – Orlando Sanwa Growers – Wimauma

2001 Carlton 2x4 Ranch – Arcadia Barthle Brothers Ranch – San Antonio

2000 PacificTomatoGrowers–Palmetto Evans Properties – Vero Beach

1999 Two Rivers Ranch – Thonotosassa Lykes Bros. – Okeechobee Suwannee Farms –- O’Brien

1998 Longino Ranch – Arcadia V&W Farms – Avon Park

1997 Anclote River Ranch – Odessa

1996 Edward “Jack” Campbell – Homestead Citrus World – Lake Wales Ekkwill Waterlife Resources – Gibsonton

1995 Schroeder Manatee Ranch – Bradenton Burt McKee – Tampa Davie Dairy – Okeechobee O.F. Nelson and Sons Nursery – Apopka Bright Hour Ranch – Arcadia Deseret Ranches of Florida – St. Cloud Fulford Farms – Monticello

1994 Rafter T Cattle Company – Avon Park A. Duda and Sons – Oviedo Babcock Florida Company – Punta Gorda Gustafson’s Dairy – Green Cove Springs Jon’s Nursery – Eustis Adams Ranch – Fort Pierce

Previous Winners

FDACS-P-01361REV. 10-2018