Environmentalism has largely been a bipartisan endeavor in Florida politics with a unique ecosystem taking up the entire state of Florida, but none like the Everglades. Florida Crystals and EAA farmers have been recognized for their efforts of ensuring the Everglades has cleaner water.
After nearly 30 years the South Florida Water Management District announced that in 2023, EAA farmers saw a 63% reduction in phosphorous, leaving their previous goal of 25% in the dust. "We are proud of our science-based farming practices," stated Jaime Vega, Vice President of Agriculture. "Our regenerative farming philosophy while ensures we continue to supply homegrown foods while enhancing our soil and protecting our surrounding ecosystem."
Data has also shown that water flowing south from the EAA was cleaner than when it arrived on farms from Lake Okeechobee. This process has been credited in enhancing Florida's sugarcane industry, one of the state's most sustainable crops - at absorbing nutrients from irrigation water.
This year follows 2022, a year which also saw record accomplishments for Everglades and South Florida restoration efforts. The SFWMD also reported in 2022 that Everglades restoration goals have been met by farmers south of Lake Okeechobee each year since 1996 with an average long-term phosphorus reduction of 57 percent.
Florida Crystals is also known for utilizing renewable energy to power Florida's only remaining rice mill. The effort is being driven purely by sunlight via 900 solar panels and adds to the company's legacy of rethinking agriculture in the Sunshine State.
