Sustainable Agriculture

Intercropping, Crop Diversity and Pest Management

Hugh A. Smith and Oscar E. Liburd

Agricultural Conservation Easement Programs: A Quick Reference Guide

Candace Lantz, Nathan Palardy, Derek Farnsworth, andAlena Poulin

This quick reference guide to federal, state, and county agricultural conservation easement acquisition programs summarizes program objectives and allowable agricultural practices and explains how programs evaluate and prioritize applications. Focuses on programs that aim to keep land in agriculture or silviculture. Aimed at Florida farmers and ranchers and county Extension agents.

Agricultural and Environmental Implications of Information-Driven Irrigation Scheduling: Insights from a Field-Scale Study with a Gravelly Loam Soil in South Florida

Young Gu Her, Sandra M. Guzmán, Ashley Smyth, Laura Vasquez, Qingren Wang, andYuncong Li

This article presents findings from a study (Song et al. 2022) that investigated how irrigation scheduling methods using soil moisture sensors and estimates of water loss from soil and plants (i.e., evapotranspiration) can conserve water and reduce nutrient loss while maintaining or even improving crop productivity in south Florida. The insights gained are intended to help farmers, homeowners, and Extension agents better understand the benefits of information-driven irrigation scheduling and adopt an evidence-based practice for improved agricultural productivity and environmental sustainability. Written by Young Gu Her, Sandra Guzmán, Ashley Smyth, Laura Vasquez, Qingren Wang, and Yuncong Li, and published by the UF/IFAS Department of Agricultural and Biological Engineering, March 2026.

Impact of Climate Change on Florida's Soil Health

Tanjila Jesmin, Xue Bai, andJehangir H. Bhadha

Climate change poses significant challenges to Florida's soil health by intensifying erosion, nutrient depletion, compaction, and salinization, which threaten agricultural productivity and environmental sustainability. Rising temperatures, shifting precipitation patterns, and extreme weather events further exacerbate these issues, affecting the diverse soil types across the state. Implementing adaptive soil management strategies, such as conservation tillage, cover cropping, organic amendments, and efficient water management, is essential for building resilience and sustaining productivity. This publication provides valuable insights for farmers, growers, ranchers, crop consultants, researchers, and policymakers to support sustainable soil management in response to climate change.