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Florida Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried visited West Palm Beach on Wednesday to make an important announcement about our state's water and environment.
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Speaking at the South Florida Water Management District, Fried announced the appointment of Chris Pettit as Director of the Office of Agricultural Water Policy.
"Cleaning up our water and keeping it clean for generations to come requires bringing everyone to the table to find real, comprehensive solutions to our water problems," Fried said.
As Florida's so-called "water czar," Pettit will work with state agencies, water managers, and farmers to implement the best management practices, or BMPs, for agriculture.
"These BMPs are sensible, cost-effective actions to conserve water and reduce pesticides, fertilizers, and pollutants entering our water systems," said Fried.
Fried said she requested $25 million from the state Legislature this year to help Florida farmers implement new practices and technologies to conserve water, but her office only received $4 million.
