Wild Goose Farms

Commissioner's Agricultural-Environmental Leadership Award

Stewardship is a guiding principle for Wild Goose Farms, a family-run, 905-acre farm in Umatilla. Owned and operated by Chuck Allison, it produces citrus, blueberries, cattle and hay.

To maximize irrigation and fertilizer efficiency, reduce leaching and deep percolation, Allison implemented a multifaceted approach to water conservation and nutrient management, including soil moisture sensors, drip irrigation and a fertilizer injection system. The farm realizes a water savings of 7.52 million gallons of water per year and removes 859 pounds of nitrogen and 168 pounds of phosphorous annually.

In Wild Goose Farms' blueberry production, the application of technology has reduced water needs by 20 percent while increasing yields by more than 30 percent. The equipment and processes used are not specific to citrus or blueberry production. This technology translates across different types of crops, and the conservation projects can be significantly scaled up or down.

Allison works to encourage environmental stewardship across the community. The farm partners with the University of Florida's Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences in facilitating research on water and nutrient research. Tours and workshops are offered to growers interested in initiating similar technologies. Students and local school programs are supported by farm visits to inspire a younger generation to consider farming in the future. Wild Goose Farms' management and the implementation of innovative and sustainable practices are profitable while benefiting the land.