This project worked with small farmers in Florida to reduce water quality degradation from farm runoff. The project exposed farmers to techniques like efficient compost/manure use, improved irrigation, and solar power systems. Soil and water tests showed that at one site, practices increased organic matter and adjusted nutrient levels, while a flooded site had increased hardness, calcium, and sodium. The project provided training, demonstrations, and consultations to farmers, with most upgrading irrigation systems and some adopting conservation practices. Ongoing challenges include excessive manure use and high solar costs.

1. Efficient use of compost/farm manure and cost-effective irrigation
methods as tools to reduce the degradation of water quality through
run-offs from small-scale farms.
Samuel Scott, Ph.D.1, George Fitzpatrick, Ph.D.2, and Claire Elliott, BSEE, MBA3
1. Applied Economist, 2. UF-Professor Emeritus and Environmental Horticulturalist, and 3. Business Analyst

2. Project Summary
This project addresses the resource concern of the degradation of water
quality via working with seventy-five (75) small farmers in selected counties in
Florida .
The objectives were to expose these farmers and ranchers to innovative
technologies and techniques to:
• Reduce farm (nitrate and phosphate) run-offs
• Mitigate poorly timed application of pesticides
• Improve irrigation methods to enhance smart water application and cost effective irrigation
• Efficiently use compost, farm manure, and
• Explore the use of solar powered systems for crop irrigation and livestock watering
The overall and results are (a) minimized farm land degradation, (b)reduced
contamination of associated aquifers, and (c ) increased on-farm productivity
and profitability.

3. Indian River
County
St. Lucie
County
Broward
County
The Zone of Influence included three clusters of
producers covering three counties in Treasure Coast
and South Florida (Broward, St. Lucie, and Indian River).
Producers were exposed to training, technical
assistance/outreach and on-farm demonstrations.
In addition, a mix-method baseline survey and
impact evaluation were implemented using small
sample frameworks of farms and farmers from
three locations.
Project Summary – Project Coverage Area

4. Project Summary – Implemented in 3 Phases
Phase I: Planning, Survey and Data Analysis
• Survey and Data Analysis completed before and after implementation
Phase III: Training, Outreach, and Technology Transfer
• On-farm demonstrations, workshop sessions, and dissemination of technical manuals
incorporated into NRCS & private sector tools and materials
Phase II: Explore, Design and Demonstrate
- Integrated Renewable Energy/Photovoltaics/ Solar Power Sources for Water Harvest from Wells
and Open Ditches and Lay Out of low run-off Irrigation Systems (Drip and Micro
- How to develop Basic Conservation Plans
- How to treat Compost/Farm Manure and Pollutants for Run-Off Mitigation
In the model we evaluated water and soil condition use two samples over two
periods, the we conducted awareness and practice surveys over the two periods,
will conducting training and outreach in basic conservation farming techniques

5. Activities and Milestones
• Training, Outreach, and Technology Transfer through on-farm demonstration, workshop sessions,
and dissemination of technical information incorporating into NRCS & private sector tools and
information .
• Implement the Baseline Survey and Surveys – focusing on awareness and practices
• In response to losses due to Hurricane IRMA, we continued assistance to farmers on the
Emergency Conservation Program (ECP) with FSA to recover expenses incurred for farm
redevelopment and conservation practices.
• Completed the retesting of the soil and irrigation water samples from two sites and advised
producers in Broward and St. Lucie on soil treatment and fertilizer regime and pesticide usages for
various crops.
During Hurricane Irma, the Water Management District opened a major canal that flooded the St.
Lucie site, which increased the run-off level of surface water. It was observed in the re-testing of
the soil, that all the major levels of increased… hardness increased 10 times, calcium increased 10
times, and sodium increased 10 times. Farmers were advised to use fertilizers which would adjust
for these micronutrients.

6. Activities and Milestones
Over this project period, the Institute conducted
• 16 Grower One-On-One meetings
• 30 Field Visits for Group meetings
• 49 Technical Assistance and Follow-up
• 55 Consultations (in-office and by phone)
Conducted solar power consultations:
• 4 major group consultations with producers
• A Vendor Field Day to evaluate system specification requirements for the
demonstration sites.
• Field demonstration with groups at farmers
• A Regional Symposium and Workshop Demonstration

7. Project Outcomes and Impacts
We examine the outcomes and impacts in the following areas
• Performance of the Target Farmers and Results
• Water and Soil Result Comparisons per Site
• Soil and Organic Matter Management
• Water Management and Irrigation Practices
• Weed Control and Cover Crops
• Environment and Run Off

8. Project Outcomes and Impacts
Performance of the Target Farmers and Results:
• 47 Farmers upgraded their Water Harvest System for irrigation
• 65 Farmers improved Lay Out of low run-off Irrigation Systems
• 7 Farmers improved farm conservation practices
• Using plastic mulch and a combination of micro sprinklers and drip irrigation instead of
manure and micro sprinkler irrigation and flood irrigation
• 65 Farmers improved farm conservation practices
• Using a combination of micro sprinklers with manure as mulch to control weeds, improve
soils and reduce the frequency of irrigation

9. Soil Test ResultsWater Test Results
Project Outcomes and Impacts
Water and Soil Result Comparison – Broward (Site 1):
Parameter Measured Value
2017 2018
Soil pH 7.4 7.7
Soil phosphorus (P), mg/kg 32 33
Soil potassium (K), mg/kg >393 32
Soil magnesium (Mg), mg/kg 54 52
Soil calcium, (Ca) mg/kg 445 497
Organic Matter 5.31% 15.41%
Parameter Measured Value
2017 2018
pH 7.40 8.10
Hardness, mg/kg 379.71 1762.87
Electrical conductivity, dS/m 1.00 0.64
Suspended solids 2.00 3.00
Total carbonates, meq/liter 6.05 3.49
Calcium, (Ca) mg/kg 135.13 528.48
Magnesium (Mg), mg/kg 10.22 107.73
Iron (Fe), mg/kg Not detected Not detected
Manganese (Mn), mg/kg Not detected Not detected
Sodium (Na), mg/kg 40.28 297.64
Chloride (Cl), mg/kg 82.50 61.74
Source: UF/IFAS Analytical Services Laboratories, Extension Soil Testing Laboratory (2017 & 2018), Test Results

10. Soil Test ResultsWater Test Results
Project Outcomes and Impacts
Water and Soil Result Comparison – St. Lucie (Site 2):
Parameter Measured Value
2017 2018
Soil pH 6.5 6.1
Soil phosphorus (P), mg/kg 18 100
Soil potassium (K), mg/kg 11 71
Soil magnesium (Mg), mg/kg 140 120
Soil calcium, (Ca) mg/kg 1477 1372
Organic Matter 1.95% 1.44%
Parameter Measured Value
2017 2018
pH 7.80 7.40
Hardness, mg/kg 487.72 4622.84
Electrical conductivity, dS/m 2.43 2.41
Suspended solids 6.00 10.00
Total carbonates, meq/liter 3.02 3.90
Calcium, (Ca) mg/kg 85.12 837.07
Magnesium (Mg), mg/kg 67.06 617.11
Iron (Fe), mg/kg Not detected Not detected
Manganese (Mn), mg/kg Not detected Not detected
Sodium (Na), mg/kg 329.96 3161.7
Chloride (Cl), mg/kg 685.55 542.90
See the effects of the canal that flooded the site
when the Water Management District left it open
during Hurricane Irma (Sept. 2017).
Source: UF/IFAS Analytical Services Laboratories, Extension Soil Testing Laboratory (2017 & 2018), Test Results

11. Favorable Developments, Challenges and Solutions
Farmers are becoming more aware of improved conservation practices
• Improved Irrigation Scheduling
• Increased use of planting Cold Resistant Crops
• Improved use of Soil Amendments – application of lime to impact soil pH
• Improvement in Weed Management
• Improved knowledge in the use of Cover Crops
At the Broward Site farmers continue the excessive use uncomposted
manure
Costs of the recommended solar power system continues to be high we
are now upgrading our in house capabilities to assist with installation

12. Office Consultations
October 2018 – March 2019
North South Institute

13. Office Consultations
October 2018 – March 2019
North South Institute

14. Workshops & Trainings
October 2018 – March 2019
North South Institute

15. Workshops & Trainings
October 2018 – March 2019
North South Institute

16. October 2018 – March 2019
Field Visits
North South Institute

17. October 2018 – March 2019
Field Visits & Field Equipment Demonstrations
North South Institute

18. October 2018 – March 2019
Conservation Activities
North South Institute

19. October 2018 – March 2019
Conservation Activities
North South Institute

20. October 2018 – March 2019
Conservation Activities
North South Institute

21. Connect with us to learn more
NSItrainingsnorthsouthinstitute_nsi@nsiceed
Website: www.nsied.orgPhone: (954) 434-8220
North South Institute