Ellis Goat Farm recognized at CARES dinner

Submitted

Twenty-five local farmers were recognized for their efforts to protect the environment at the 10th Annual County Alliance for Responsible Environmental Stewardship (CARES) dinner on June 29.
The Florida Farm Bureau and the Suwannee River Partnership (SRP) created the CARES program to highlight efforts by farm owners to improve natural resource management in the Suwannee and Santa Fe river basins.
CARES farmers are committed to improving the environment by implementing best management practices, which help increase irrigation efficiency and protect water quality.

Pictured from left, Florida Agriculture Commissioner Charles Bronson,
Cynthia Ellis and Pat Cockrell, of Florida Farm Bureau.

“These farmers are protecting and conserving water on their farm operations,” said SRP Coordinator Darrell Smith. “They have proven to be good stewards of the environment and we applaud their efforts.”
At the event, held at the UF/IFAS Research and Education Center in Suwannee County, CARES farmers were recognized and congratulated by Florida Agriculture Commissioner Charles Bronson and Pat Cockrell, of Florida Farm Bureau.The event drew hundreds of folks, including farmers, local officials and others from both the Suwannee and Santa Fe river basins. Following are those recognized at the CARES dinner and the counties in which their operations are located: Straughn Farms, LLC, Alachua; Ramsey Stock Farm, Alachua; Butler Farms, Alachua; Patterson Farms, Columbia; Dewy Gay Farm, Columbia; C. Bar Ranch, Columbia; Ellis Goat Farm, Gilchrist; Edwin Douglas Farm, Gilchrist; Deas Brothers Farms, Hamilton; Koon Farm, Inc., Lafayette; Witt Farm, Lafayette; Central Florida Lands & Timber, Lafayette; Southpoint Dairy, Levy; Sunset Hill Farm, Madison; Glee Heritage Acres, Madison; Kinsey Farm, Madison; S&J Farm, Madison; Diamond in the Rough Ranch, Madison; Carl Ann Corporation, Madison; Iott Hay Day Ranch, Madison; Full Circle Dairy, Madison; Suwannee Valley Grassing, Madison; Randell Family Hay Farm, Suwannee; North Florida Research & Education Center, Suwannee; and New River Ranch, Bradford.