By Frank Giles The region south of Lake Okeechobee, comprised largely of the Everglades Agricultural Area (EAA), is one of the most unique farming landscapes on the planet. Its wide-open vistas can be seen from space, and the land’s dark, rich soils contribute to the production of a significant portion of America’s specialty crop supply. Over the years, farming expanded …
State Approves Paying Sugar Grower to End Lease
Florida will pay $2.4 million to a sugar grower as part of an effort to clean and shift water south from Lake Okeechobee through the Everglades. Gov. Ron DeSantis and the Florida Cabinet — Chief Financial Officer Jimmy Patronis, Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried and Attorney General Ashley Moody — agreed Tuesday to pay $1,940 an acre to New Hope Sugar …
Some Ag Facts Left Out of New SFWMD Discussion
by Gary Cooper The brand new governing board of the South Florida Water Management District (SFWMD) is revisiting the mission of the agency that spans 16 counties with a huge network of canals, pumps, levees and structures. Agricultural interests are concerned that this new board will adopt a mission that places the environment ahead of water supply and flood protection. …
Facts of the Flow: Lake Okeechobee, 2019 Year-to-Date
Here is the latest update on inflows into Lake Okeechobee for the calendar year to date. There has been no back-pumping into Lake Okeechobee from the Everglades Agricultural Area this year. This data is provided by SFWMD’s DBHYDRO database. Source: SFWMD