Florida farmers, foresters, ranchers and researchers gathered in the heart of what was once Florida citrus country to discuss the future of Florida agriculture – and the adaptations needed to keep it strong.

While citrus greening and a population boom has transformed the region, Florida agriculture, which includes forestry and aquaculture, is full of innovation and determination to keep producing healthy food, fiber and fuel while keeping land out of development so that it can continue to provide wildlife habitat, store and filter water, and sequester carbon. Some of these farmer-innovators, researchers and allied industry came together to form Florida Smart Agriculture and hosted a forum on the circular bioeconomy on Dec. 18 at the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) Citrus Research and Education Center.

A special focus of the forum was on FLSA’s newest report: “Voices of Florida Farmers: Building a Circular Economy,” which features 12 Florida farmers, ranchers, foresters, aquaculturists and allied industry who are prime examples of how agriculture is the solution to some of the planet’s greatest challenges.

Here are some of the top lessons learned from the forum:

• The most important aspect of FLSA is that it is farmer-led. “It’s from the ground-up,” as Scott Angle, Ph.D., UF/IFAS senior vice president for agriculture and natural resources, put it. FLSA and its farmer leadership aim to accelerate and scale agriculture-based solutions that benefit agricultural producers, the public and the planet. Farmers must be at the center of new research, policies and programs if they are to be successful on the ground.
• Circularity in agriculture is all about moving from a system where we take, make and waste to a system where we reuse, recycle, retain and add value, and reduce costs. The term “circular bioeconomy” might be unfamiliar to farmers, but the concept is inherent. Economics pushed farmers to specialize, which reduced circularity. Economics then must be top of mind when looking at ways to increase circularity.
• Demand for ecosystem services (clean air, clean water, aesthetics, wildlife habitat, biodiversity, healthy soil) has never been higher due to Florida’s increasing population. Farmers historically have provided these services for free due to the nature of working on the land. However, farmers are under increasing economic pressure, including pressure from development. While it is difficult to put a price on ecosystem services – which many would consider priceless – we have to because otherwise they will be ignored in economic-driven conversations on policy. And farmers must receive some of the value they provide in delivering these ecosystem services.
• There is opportunity in Florida for grazing livestock on cover crops, which would provide economic and environmental benefits. CHEERS researchers, led by Jose Dubeaux, Ph.D., professor of forage agronomy in North Florida, are exploring possibilities and barriers in integrated crop-livestock systems in Florida, Alabama and Georgia. Only 5% of the 4.1 million acres of row crops in Florida, Georgia and Alabama are under cover cropping systems during winter. Adding livestock into the system could create incentive to add cover crops, which is good for soil health, and it could create opportunity for young people to get into production agriculture. CHEERS researchers want to understand the barriers to this circular bioeconomy system so that it can be developed in an effective way for farmers. 
• Other researchers are also investigating opportunities to further develop a circular bioeconomy. Xin Zhao, Ph.D., professor of horticultural sciences, is evaluating locally sourced pine bark and compost as a growing medium for tabletop organic strawberries vs. imported coco coir. Miguel Vasconez, Ph.D., with the Citrus Research and Education Center, is looking at components of citrus “waste” that could be reused in fragrances, flavorings, pectin, and medications targeting cardiovascular and metabolic issues. Ana Martin-Ryals, Ph.D., associate professor of agricultural and biological engineering, is looking at how to make the best use of byproducts generated from anaerobic digesters, which turn animal and food wastes into renewable gas and fertilizer.
• Farmers say they want to be recognized for the good they do on the land. Sometimes this acknowledgement is just as important as a check, they said.
• Labor is a constant struggle. Farmers need ways to connect with people who want to work in food systems.
• Research is critical, but it is important to recognize each farm is different. Farmers must be willing and able to experiment to see what works best on their land because they each manage within a unique set of soils, microclimates, resources (natural and financial) and personal circumstances.
• Programs and practices must be self-sufficient because government funding is vulnerable to changes and cuts based on the priorities of each administration. Economics is king. If a practice or management philosophy doesn’t work economically in the long run, it won’t work.
• Farmers need each other. With that, it is important for farmers to make time to talk to and learn from each other. It can be difficult to bring farmers together because they tend to be humble, independent—and busy—people. But the effort is well worth it. 
• Farmers need to keep telling their stories. Florida farmers have powerful stories of the good they are doing on the land and the barriers to doing even more. We need to do everything we can to help lift their voices.

We invite you to join the conversation and to help us spread the word on all the good things going on in Florida agriculture. See the “Voices of Florida Farmers” report for more details.

By: Lynetta Usher Griner, Co-owner of Usher Land and Timber Inc., a cattle and timber operation; and Co-Chair of Florida Smart Agriculture