South Florida farmers once again top water quality standards

Palm Beach County -- South Florida’s sugarcane, vegetable, fruit, sod and rice farmers have reached another milestone in their 30-year commitment of on-farm efforts to clean water.

According to the South Florida Water Management District, farmers in the Everglades Agricultural Area (EAA) this year achieved a 62% annual phosphorus reduction – more than double the 25% reduction required under Florida’s 1996 Everglades Forever Act. Since the program began three decades ago, EAA farmers’ clean water efforts have averaged a 57% annual reduction.