Cattlemen, Farmers Dominate Updated Soil and Water Advisory Council

Three cattlemen and three farmers were among Commissioner of Agriculture Adam Putnams seven appointments Monday to help guide Floridas new streamlined Soil and Water Conservation Council.

The council is expected to provide input to the state department on legal matters relating to statewide soil and water conservation.

In a release, Putman stated that the council will also allow for a more focused advisory body that is better suited to provide guidance relating to soil and water conservation issues throughout Florida.

In the 2012 session, legislators reduced the size of the council from 23 members -- of which only 11 were voting members and appointments came from federal and state agencies, the Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences at the University of Florida, the United States Department, the Florida Association of Counties, the Florida League of Cities, and two representatives of environmental interests -- to seven. The hope is that the smaller group would be able to provide better focus on Soil and Water Conservation Districts and the state.

The members appointed by Putnam:

Wilbur Dean -- Cattleman and member of the board of Levy County Soil and Water Conservation District.

Bud Crissafulli -- Cattleman and member of Brevard County Farm Bureau.

Andy Jackson -- President of Association of Florida Conservation Districts.

Eric Hjort -- General manager of Tater Farms.

Jimmy Wohl -- Cattleman and chairman of the Highlands Soil and Water Conservation District.

Cindy Eade -- Co-owner of Cindale Dairy Farm and member of the board of directors for North Florida Farm Credit.

Nancy McDonald -- Owner of House Plants Inc. nursery and active in the Florida Farm Bureau and Florida Nursery, Growers and Landscape Association.