Conserve Natural Resources — Polk County Farm Bureau

Florida's farmers and ranchers are among the state's most dedicated environmental stewards. Long before conservation became a buzzword, farm families were protecting the soil, water, and land they depend on — because their livelihoods, and their children's livelihoods, depend on keeping those resources healthy.

Polk County Farm Bureau supports programs and policies that recognize and reward responsible environmental stewardship, protect agricultural land from development, and give farmers the tools and resources they need to conserve Florida's natural resources for generations to come.

What's at Stake: The Loss of Florida Agricultural Land

If current trends continue, Florida could lose roughly 45,000 acres of farmland per year to residential and commercial development — totaling nearly 2 million acres lost by 2070. This land loss means a decrease in land available for food production, wildlife habitat, groundwater recharge, and open spaces that all Floridians depend on.

~45,000

acres of Florida farmland lost per year to development

~2M

acres projected to be lost by 2070 if current trends continue

132,000+

Florida Farm Bureau member-families working to protect agricultural land

county Farm Bureaus advocating for farmland conservation statewide

Learn more and help save Florida's green spaces

How Florida Farmers Protect Natural Resources

Florida's agricultural community uses a wide range of science-based practices to protect the state's land, water, and natural resources while keeping farms productive and profitable.

Water Quality & Conservation

Florida farmers and ranchers implement Best Management Practices (BMPs) to protect water quality in lakes, rivers, and aquifers. In Polk County — home to the Kissimmee Chain of Lakes and Lake Okeechobee watershed — responsible water stewardship is especially critical.

Soil Health & Regenerative Practices

Practices like cover crops, reduced tillage, and crop rotation improve soil health, reduce erosion, and sequester carbon. Florida's farmers are increasingly adopting regenerative agriculture to keep land productive for future generations.

Land Conservation

Agricultural land provides open space, wildlife habitat, and groundwater recharge. Farm Bureau actively works to protect farmland from development through programs like Greenbelt Protection and the Rural and Family Lands Protection Program.

Climate-Smart Farming

From voluntary carbon markets to precision agriculture, Florida farmers are finding innovative ways to reduce their environmental footprint while maintaining productive, profitable operations.

Responsible Pesticide Use

Farmers are trained and licensed to use pesticides safely and responsibly. Proper application protects crops, reduces waste, and supports the regenerative practices that sustain Florida's agricultural lands.

Conservation Compliance

Farm Bureau works to ensure conservation compliance rules — which affect eligibility for crop insurance, loans, and disaster assistance — are fair, transparent, and based on sound science so producers can confidently protect their land.

This Farm CARES

County Alliance for Responsible Environmental Stewardship

Florida Farm Bureau's This Farm CARES program publicly recognizes Florida farmers and ranchers who demonstrate exemplary efforts to protect Florida's natural resources by implementing Best Management Practices (BMPs). Recipients are awarded a roadside sign to demonstrate to all Floridians that agricultural producers are fully committed to protecting Florida's environment.

How It Works

Implement BMPs

Farmer voluntarily implements FDACS-approved Best Management Practices on their operation.

Nominate

Anyone can nominate a deserving farmer or rancher at ThisfarmCARES.org.

Review

Florida Farm Bureau reviews nominations for exemplary environmental stewardship.

Recognition

Recipients receive a This Farm CARES roadside sign — a public symbol of their commitment to Florida's environment.

Nominate a Farmer Visit ThisfarmCARES.org

Key Conservation Programs & Resources

Florida Farm Bureau

This Farm CARES

CARES (County Alliance for Responsible Environmental Stewardship) publicly recognizes Florida farmers and ranchers who demonstrate exemplary efforts to protect natural resources through Best Management Practices.

Visit ThisfarmCARES.org

FDACS

Rural & Family Lands Protection Program

The RFLPP protects agricultural lands through the acquisition of permanent agricultural land conservation easements, keeping working farms in production and out of development.

Learn More at FDACS

Florida Law

Greenbelt Protection

Florida's Greenbelt Law ensures agricultural land is taxed based on its use value rather than development value, helping keep farmland in production and preventing unnecessary tax increases that force farmers to sell.

View Florida Statute

FDACS

FDACS Best Management Practices

Florida's BMP program provides science-based, cost-effective practices for farmers and ranchers to protect water quality and natural resources while maintaining productive agricultural operations.

Explore BMP Resources

AFBF

Carbon Markets & Ecosystem Services

Agriculture can play a role in offsetting emissions beyond the farm gate. From climate-smart farming to voluntary management of forests, grasslands, and wetlands, farmers are actively absorbing carbon from the atmosphere.

Learn More at AFBF

FDACS

Farmer Stress Assistance

FDACS provides farmers and farmworkers with personalized support in their local communities through a multilingual 24-hour helpline — because protecting natural resources starts with protecting the people who steward them.

Get Support

Conservation in Polk County

Polk County sits within the Kissimmee River Basin and Lake Okeechobee watershed — one of Florida's most ecologically significant and closely monitored water systems. Local farmers and ranchers play a direct role in protecting water quality throughout this watershed through responsible land management and BMP implementation.

Polk County Farm Bureau actively monitors water policy at the state and federal level — including Lake Okeechobee management, WOTUS regulations, and conservation compliance rules — to ensure our members' voices are heard in decisions that affect their land and livelihoods.

Read: Lake Okeechobee / Kissimmee Chain of Lakes Update

Quick Links

Farmers Are Florida's First Conservationists

Join Polk County Farm Bureau and stand with the farmers and ranchers who protect Florida's land, water, and natural resources every single day.

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