Florida and Georgian growers to benefit from $5m water security grant
Faculty from UF/IFAS, University of Georgia, Albany State University, and Auburn University are collaborating on an integrated project made possible by funds from USDA’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture program.
Project investigators will conduct field experiments in Florida and Georgia to develop farming practices that reduce water use and fertilizer loss while still resulting in a profitable crop yield, according to UF Water Institute Director Wendy Graham. Building on this knowledge, a set of interactive computer models will be developed with input from farmers, foresters, springs, and river advocates, water managers, and other interested stakeholders in the region.
The models will be used to predict impacts of different land-use, water use, and agricultural and forest production practices on water quantity, water quality, and the economy of North Florida and South Georgia.
The project’s Extension team will conduct on-farm demonstrations and develop smartphone apps to help farmers implement promising agricultural best management practices, Graham said. Training programs will be conducted with diverse stakeholders in Florida and Georgia to bring about preferred changes in production systems and incentive programs, she said.
source: growingproduce.com
