Agriculture

Overview

The Northwest Florida Water Management District is committed to working with the agricultural community to protect the water and natural resources of the Florida Panhandle.

The District works in partnership with many agencies, organizations, and stakeholders to provide financial and technical assistance to agricultural producers. This includes the efforts of the District’s agricultural assistance team, as well as providing funding for the Northwest Florida Mobile Irrigation Lab and cost-share and sod-based crop rotation grants for producers.

Agricultural Assistance Team

The District’s Ag Team is available to help agricultural producers with the permitting and compliance issues, best management practices, cost share opportunities, and other areas. The Ag Team offers regulatory assistance to farmers through site and situation-specific planning for Water Use, Well Construction, Environmental Resource, and other surface water project permits. Visit the Ag Team web page for more information.

The District shares regulatory responsibilities with the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) and state and local governments. Please visit the Permits section of our website for more information.

Mobile Irrigation Lab

An ongoing, joint effort between the District, the National Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), and the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS), the Northwest Florida Mobile Irrigation Lab (MIL) is a free and voluntary service that helps farmers increase irrigation efficiency and conserve water resources while reducing operating costs.

Sod-Based Crop Rotation Program

Under the Sod-Based Crop Rotation Program, acreage is planted in a rotation: two years of warm-season perennial grass followed by two years of row crops. These practices have been shown to reduce water irrigation demands and reduce nutrient and pesticide application rates while increasing crop yields.

Jackson Blue Spring and Chipola Groundwater Contribution Areas Cost-Share Grant Program

The Northwest Florida Water Management District offers funding as part of a cost-share grant program to help agricultural producers improve water quality and reduce water use in the Jackson Blue Spring and Chipola groundwater contribution areas.

Other Agricultural Resources

The District works closely with state and local agencies to provide resources for the agricultural community.