Florida Crystals and EAA Farmers Recognized for Efforts Cleaning Water for the Everglades

We are pleased to share that Florida Crystals and our neighboring farmers in the Everglades Agricultural Area (EAA) have been recognized once again for outperforming clean water goals, as our partnership in Everglades restoration nears 30 years. 

On August 17, the South Florida Water Management District (SFWMD) announced that, in Water Year 2023, EAA farmers achieved a 63% reduction in phosphorus in – more than double the 25% goal set forth in the Everglades Forever Act. 

“We are proud of our science-based farming practices,” said Jaime Vega, Vice President of Agriculture. “Our regenerative farming philosophy ensures we continue to supply homegrown foods while enhancing our soil and protecting our surrounding ecosystem.”  

Further demonstrating EAA farmers’ success this year, data from the SFWMD showed that water flowing south from the EAA was cleaner than when it arrived on our farms from Lake Okeechobee. This highlights not only the effectiveness of our regenerative farming practices, but also the role of sugarcane – one of nature’s most sustainable crops – at absorbing nutrients from irrigation water. 

Our sustainable farming practices have been vital to helping EAA farmers achieve and outperform the nation’s strictest water-quality standard for 28 years, with an average long-term phosphorus reduction of 57%. From our nationally-recognized on-farm Best Management Practices (BMPs) to our use of high-tech Precision Agriculture to farm more efficiently and conserve resources, regenerative agriculture is front and center each day on our farms.