Did you know that at one time, the Florida Everglades spanned over 11 million acres in the State? Not only are the Everglades essential to a number of diverse and unique species (including waterfowl including wood storks and the Florida panther), it is also a filtration and land preservation buffer that helps protect Florida from the forces of water erosion on the East, Southern coastal regions.
What many residents of Florida (and the nation) may not be aware of, is that the size of the Florida Everglades has been slowly reduced over the past five decades. Today, of the 11 million acres that used to be preserved wet and grasslands, only 360,000 acres remains.
Approximately 60% of the land is owned by the Federal government, and 40% of that protect space is protected by private ownership. Other areas of the Everglades and vast open grasslands are currently unprotected, and vulnerable to urban sprawl and resort development.
In this article, we would like to share some facts about the Florida cattle industry, and why it deserves recognition and support from every resident of the State, for its contributions both to our economy, and to land conservatorship that will help protect our greenspaces in the future.
How Ranches Rationalize the Protection of Florida Grasslands
The problem with urban sprawl and resort development, is that once the natural and ecologically important green spaces are gone, we won’t recover them. Think about areas where vast green spaces and grasslands have been developed? They’re gone for good.
Local and state officials have to constantly evaluate and balance the demand for land, and the utility of the spaces that are coveted by developers. If the grassland area is not being used, it’s harder for the local community to provide a good argument for conserving it against development, particularly when new buildings can bring jobs and more economic benefit to less populated areas of our state.
However, both State and Federal officials understand the ecological value of the Everglades and Florida’s grasslands. When the land is privately owned by a rancher, who may have thousands of acres of grazing, it is up to the individual to preserve their parcel against development and retain the legacy of farming within the community. If the grassland is owned at a State or Federal level and not being used to the economic benefit of the State, sometimes its hard to argue ecology over tangibles like new jobs, tourism growth and other measurables.
By keeping the land occupied and managed through traditional grass-fed farming methods, Ranchers in Florida are an important buffer against the threat of development. Some private developers such as Disney Wilderness Preserve in Kissimmee, have already started important activities that will restore some of the former ranch lands and natural wilderness.
The Economic Value of the Florida Cattle Industry
Did you know that the Florida cattle industry contributes more than $100 billion dollars to the State economy every year? In addition to being one of our home state’s most valuable exports, the cattle industry also employs over 2 million full-time workers, and an estimated 300,000 seasonal workers annually.
This valuable part of the Florida economy is produced on roughly 6 million acres of grassland. Allied industries such as meat processing and packaging businesses, trucking and other businesses are also reliant on the Florida beef industry for economic growth.
What Can Florida Residents Do to Help Protect Our Green Spaces?
Cattle ranchers are an integral part of protecting the grasslands, Everglades and green space we currently have in Florida. They are also strong advocates for the protection of additional land, and to expand what is currently exempt from development. But every year, as the demand grows stronger for more resorts, timeshares, theme parks and housing developments, the job and mission get’s that much harder.
One of the most important things that Florida consumers can do, is shop local. Not only does that assure quality and freshness of the fruits, vegetables and meat products you buy, but it also helps support our cattle ranchers. While many other state cattle industries are increasingly moving to factory farming and grain-fed feedlot production (which is unhealthy for the cattle and produces what many believe is significantly lower quality beef), Florida is making some important strides to transform the industry to predominantly grass-fed, hormone and antibiotic free farming.
This important step doesn’t come without challenges. For instance, did you know that feedlot raised cattle which are injected with both growth antibiotics and hormones, are raised to the desired weight level for market much faster? That means there is more profitability and less cost, when a farmer decides to use factory farming methods.
Many Florida ranches are already making the transition to grass-fed, and in some cases organic cattle ranching to meet the increasing demand for higher quality beef products. Cattle produced using these methods are strictly regulated, and allowed to graze free in a natural state, that is both better for the environment, the animal and for the quality of beef that is produced.
Choose grass-fed antibiotic and hormone free ground beef from Florida Raised, and support our local ranchers and in-state agricultural industry. Know that quality and sustainability are two important benefits that are worth paying a little extra for, compared to feedlot raised beef. It’s a choice that provides more nutrition, and helps lower your carbon footprint, every time you shop exclusively for locally raised products.
It’s food you can really feel good about.
Get Involved
If you would like to connect to organizations that are working hard to preserve Florida’s natural green spaces, here are some suggestions where your participation can help make a difference. Here are two organizations that we’d like to recommend.
Florida Communities Trust's Parks and Open Space Florida Forever
Sponsored with funding from The Florida Department of Environmental Protection, this program provides grants for land acquisition for community-based parks, open space and greenway protection. Get your community behind rallying for a grant and help to preserve grasslands, the Everglades or sensitive coastal areas.
Earth Justice Organization (Florida Chapter)
This organization “because the Earth needs a good lawyer” has been vocal and instrumental in demanding protection for Florida waterways, against environmental violations for dumping of sewage, and other toxic chemicals throughout the Everglades and the Mangrove beaches and forests. They have also been active participants in voicing challenge and change for Lake Okeechobee.