Newberry’s Hodge Farm Receives CARES Award

NEWBERRY – On May 2, 2024, David and Gail Hodge of Hodge Farms received the Florida Farm Bureau “County Alliance for Responsible Environmental Stewardship” (CARES) award, presented at the UF/IFAS North Florida Research and Education Center in Live Oak. The CARES award was granted to 12 farm families in the Suwannee River Basin. The Hodge Farm received this statewide award for their outstanding achievements in preserving land and water resources.

During the May 28 Newberry City Commission meeting, Commissioners honored Hodge Farms recognizing exemplary stewardship of their land with Best Management Practices (BMPs).

This is the second CARES award received by Hodge Farm, the first being in 2006. The award adds to the distinguished list of Newberry farms receiving the award over the last 20 years, including Tropic Traditions, McGehee and Sons Farm, Kennard Farm, Herb Marlowe, James Boyd, Trevor Bass and Don Green.

The CARES program was established by Florida Farm Bureau and the Suwannee River Partnership in 2001 to promote public recognition of outstanding agricultural conservation achievements by farm families. The program honors farmers and ranchers who have voluntarily implemented science-based and field-tested BMPs that conserve and protect Florida’s natural resources on their properties.

“Florida’s farmers and ranchers answer the call to protect our environment while also producing a safe, affordable and abundant food supply,” said Florida Farm Bureau President Jeb S. Smith. “Demonstrating outstanding efforts to implement conservation practices that reduce water and nutrient use and also improve water quality is the basis for a producer being awarded a, ‘This Farm CARES,’ designation and sign. The customized CARES sign is a farmer or rancher’s tool to demonstrate to the general public they are committed to protecting local natural resources.”

Hodge Farms has a rich history dating back to the 1800s. Growing tobacco, blueberries and raising cattle, David Hodge knows the importance of being a dedicated steward of the land. He has implemented technology like drip irrigation since 1989. Along with drip irrigation, Hodge also places an emphasis on enhancing soil health and reducing erosion through soil testing, cover crops and conservation tillage.

Hodge places an emphasis on best management practices on his farm because he wants to pass it on to his sons, and protecting the land is how he can ensure they will be able to farm the land for years to come.

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