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Community Budget Issue Requests - Tracking Id #2696 |
Crop Production Pilot Project |
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Requester: |
Dr. Rufas M. Holloway |
Organization: |
Hollaway Tree Farm |
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Project Title: |
Crop Production Pilot Project |
Date Submitted |
1/13/2006 12:16:38 AM |
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Sponsors: |
Bennett |
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Statewide Interest: |
Rising fuel and production costs are placing a strain of Florida growers, making it difficult to compete in the current global market. As the Florida population increases, water quality and quantity are vital issues. The emerging industry of controlled environmental agriculture using rain harvested water for irrigation markedly reduces adverse environmental impacts as well as increase agricultural production.
Additional economic and environmental benefits include marked reduction in the use of fertilizers and pesticides, as well as the reduction of maintenance, energy use, and repair costs for growers.
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Recipient: |
Holloway Tree Farm |
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Contact: |
Kevin Dellinger |
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2620 Griffin Road |
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Contact Phone: |
(352) 267-9815 |
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Leesburg 34748 |
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Contact email: |
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Counties: |
{Statewide} |
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Gov't Entity: |
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Private Organization (Profit/Not for Profit): |
Yes |
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Project Description: |
This project includes the construction of a demonstration model for future regional applications of the sub-surface irrigation system technology, as well as to serve for necessary educational and research purposes. We are requesting the provision of funds for materials and analysis for a flood irrigated greenhouse system for protected agriculture in Florida. This project will allow agriculture to increase its economic impact by using rainwater or subsurface irrigation thus insuring available fresh water for the increasing population in Florida. |
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Is this a project related to a federal or state declared disaster? |
No |
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Measurable Outcome Anticipated: |
Major population growth is associated with an increased demand for fresh water. Implementation of the proposed facility will utilize the surplus rain that falls over Florida every year to irrigate high yield crops. It will reduce the need for agriculture to pull from the aquifer for irrigation needs and allow more availability for human consumption; protect the aquifer from agricultural pesticides and fungicides by implementing readily available alternatives for natural pest and disease control; and protect the aquifer from nitrate and phosphate contamination. |
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Amount requested from the State for this project this year: |
$743,000 |
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Total cost of the project: |
$1,486,000 |
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Request has been made to fund: |
Construction |
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What type of match exists for this project? |
Private |
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Cash Amount |
$ |
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In-kind Amount |
$743,000 |
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Was this project previously funded by the state? |
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No |
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Is future-year funding likely to be requested? |
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No |
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Was this project included in an Agency's Budget Request? |
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No |
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Was this project included in the Governor's Recommended Budget? |
No |
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Is there a documented need for this project? |
No |
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Was this project request heard before a publicly noticed meeting of a body of elected officials (municipal, county, or state)? |
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No |
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Is this a water project as described in Section 403.885, Laws of Florida? |
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No |