Like most agricultural producers in Florida, farmers and ranchers help maintain the quality of life we all enjoy. Their daily work maintains freshwater recharge areas, wildlife habitat and greenspace even they produce food for consumers here and across the world.

The families have earned top recognition under the County Alliance for Responsible Environmental Stewardship (CARES) program. Created by Florida Farm Bureau Federation more than a decade ago, this program involves an alliance of more than 60 state and federal agencies, county commissions, water management districts, businesses, organizations and individuals.

CARES award recipients have implemented state-of-the-art systems for natural resource management. Outside experts have verified the effectiveness of their good efforts. Nearly 600 farm families in Florida have been designated as CARES awardees.

According to Suwannee River Water Management District officials, agricultural producers within the agency’s service region conserve more than one billion gallons of water each year by employing such systems.

Profiles of CARES award winners and video features highlighting their operations can be found here.