Tag Archives: Polk

FWC’s Florida Panther Payment for Ecosystem Services Pilot Program

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October 2024 FloridAgriculture eNewsletter

Landowners who maintain and improve Florida panther habitat of high conservation priority on their property may be eligible for rewards.  Landowners within the following counties are eligible for participation:  Broward, Charlotte, Collier, DeSoto, Glades, Hardee, Hendry, Highlands, Hillsborough, Lee, Manatee, Miami-Dade, Monroe, Okeechobee, Osceola, Polk and Sarasota.

The FWC is providing annual payments to landowners who have Florida panther habitat of high conservation priority. Enrollment is voluntary and competitive based on the location, amount, and quality of panther habitat provided as well as available funding. Optional opportunities are available for landowners to coordinate with the FWC to monitor panthers on their property and receive additional payments for evidence of panther use. Information is also being offered on land management techniques to benefit wildlife, livestock depredation mitigation, and other topics.

The program benefits both private landowners and the panther population by providing per-acre payments for habitat conditions that support panther conservation and landscape connectivity. While Florida panthers are the primary focus of the program, it will provide benefits to varied species, such as white-tailed deer, Florida black bears, and others that depend on the mosaic of habitats used by panthers.

Click here for FWC’s Landowner Guide detailing program requirements, eligibility, payment rates, bonus payment opportunities, monitoring requirements, and more.

For additional information about the program, click here or contact Jake Fojtik for additional information.

Additional Resources:
Panther PES Brochure
Landowner Guide PES
Fillable Panther PES Application
FWC Panther PES FAQs

Central Florida Farmers Encouraged to Attend the Landowner Assistant Expo

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June 2024 FloridAgriculture e-Newsletter

The Central Florida Regional Planning Council in conjunction with the Highlands Soil and Water Conservation District is hosting a Landowner Assistance Expo on Tuesday, June 11, 2024, from 8:30 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. It will be held at the Bert J. Harris Agricultural Center Auditorium at 4509 George Boulevard, Sebring, FL 33875.

This is a great opportunity for farmers and ranchers in central Florida to network and learn about other potential sources of conservation or income outside of traditional farming practices.

Landowners, regardless of acreage size, in DeSoto, Glades, Hardee, Hendry, Highlands, Okeechobee, Osceola, and Polk Counties are encouraged to attend and participate in conversations related to technical assistance, cost-share opportunities, conservation easements, and the financial implications of each program. Outreach representatives will be on hand to provide brief overviews of local, State, Federal, and non-governmental programs and receive feedback from the attendees.

Lunch will be provided and served by the Highlands Soil and Water Conservation District.

Register here or contact Shiela McNamara for more information at 352-678-7015 or [email protected].

Tied to Ag: Benjamin Putnam

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January 2024 FloridAgriculture eNewsletter

Benjamin Putnam comes from a family of agriculturalists in rural Polk County. He is a sixth-generation farmer and grew up working cattle with his uncle, fixing irrigation in the citrus grove, and helping around the farm where needed. His involvement on the family farm helped instill in him a passion for agriculture.  

Upon graduation from Auburn University with a degree in business management, Putnam decided to move back home and work full-time at Putnam Groves, his family’s citrus operation.  

“After my Uncle Will passed away, my cousin Christian and I talked a lot about my plans after college,” said Putnam. “It felt right to move back to Bartow and work at the farm.”  

The family farm has 1,300 head of cattle spanning over Polk, Hardee, and Highlands counties and 1,000 acres of citrus, specifically Valencia and Hamlin varieties. They have recently started hay production and are refurbishing pastures through rotational grazing.

“We started rotational grazing and allowing some family friends to grow watermelons in our pastures to help with weed control and help add more grazing land for our cattle next year,” said Putnam. “This has really allowed us to continue to be good stewards of the land.”  

Although Putnam has grown up around Farm Bureau, it was his cousin that encouraged him to become more involved with their local Young Farmers & Ranchers group and apply for the leadership team. He has enjoyed being more involved in the community and sharing agriculture’s story with the public.  

“Last year, we were able to donate 160 pounds of blueberries through Harvest for All,” said Putnam. “We also set up a booth at the Lakeland Farmer’s Market and talk to people about agriculture and pass out Publix gift cards to help pay for some of their groceries.” 

Putnam also looks forward to visiting with other farmers in the community at their county annual meeting in October.  

When asked what he is looking forward to over the next two years on the state leadership team, Putnam is excited to get more involved with Florida Farm Bureau and learn how to better advocate for the agriculture industry.  

“I’m strengthening my tie to agriculture by learning how to be a better spokesperson for the industry through the opportunities the leadership group will provide me,” said Putnam. “I’m excited for opportunities to network with other young farmers from around the country and learn about agriculture and advocacy in their state at the American Farm Bureau Federation YF&R Leadership Conference in March.”