SIGN OF SUCCESS IN NORTHWEST FLORIDA’S OKALOOSA COUNTY

Cares Award Given To Marshall Farms For Conservation Efforts

Written by: Ava Grace

In 1973, James Marshall began growing peanuts, soybeans and corn in Florida’s Santa Rosa County. Things have certainly changed since those early years—Marshall has added family members to his staff, including his wife, Helen, and son, Nick. Marshall Farms is in a new location and the crops are peanuts and cotton.

Plus, Marshall now utilizes Best Management Practices, or BMPs. These have been so effective that, in 2018, Marshall Farms was presented a CARES award by the Florida Farm Bureau Federation.

The CARES program, which stands for County Alliance for Responsible Environmental Stewardship, recognizes Florida farmers and ranchers who protect Florida's natural resources by implementing BMPs. In the form of a “This Farm CARES” sign, the award is presented to Floridians who are agricultural producers and are fully committed to protecting Florida’s environment. Since 2001, more than 800 farmers and ranchers have received the award.

“It was an honor to present [Marshall Farms] their Farm Bureau CARES award in 2018 for their efforts to be good environmental stewards. It was then that I learned about their Best Management Practices program,” explains Cacee Hilliard, CARES coordinator.

These days, James and Nick, along with other family members, work on the 2,500-acre farm that is now located in Okaloosa County. James Marshall’s focus is on environmentally friendly practices. He works to reduce water, nutrient and chemical use, to improve water quality and to protect the wildlife habitats that surround his farm— using field borders and providing natural wind breaks.

“The Marshalls truly care about protecting our environment. That is so evident in their daily farming practices and decisions,” Hilliard adds.

James Marshall and his son, Nick, inspect cotton plants on their 2,500-acre farm in Okaloosa County. Marshall Farms also grows peanuts.

The Marshalls have also installed T low-flow rate nozzles on their center-pivot irrigation systems to reduce water use, and have incorporated Global Positioning System and variable-rate technologies to precisely apply nutrients. In addition, they have used John Deere’s ExactApply nozzle control system, which uses 10% less pesticides and reduces sprayer drift to neighboring properties.

In 2009, James and Nick were selected to participate in cotton variety evaluations. They grew new varieties and reported the results to help advance the cotton industry.

“The Marshall family continues to innovate the American cotton and peanut industry. By investing their efforts in new seed varieties and farming practices, they lead the way for sustainable agriculture in Florida,” notes Hilliard.

In addition to their dedication to environmentally friendly farming practices, the Marshalls invest their time and efforts in other ways. James has served as the director of Farm Credit and on the Farm Service Agency board and Florida Peanut Producers board. Nick currently serves on the Okaloosa County Farm Bureau board of directors, Florida Farm Bureau Federation’s Peanut & Cotton Advisory Committee, and is a Florida delegate on the National Cotton Council. FCM

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This Farm CARES thisfarmcares.org

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