So you think policymakers and bureaucrats have a handle on what ordinary Floridians think? Have a look at this recently released piece of UF/IFAS research: It shows Floridians "strongly believe" farmers protect the state's environment and water resources.
That's strongly believe -- words from the report, not from me. But, come to that, it's certainly what I've observed for a very long time.
Check out the study's infographic summary. It really tells all.
Nearly 90 percent of state residents agreed or strongly agreed that farmers are concerned about water when making decisions, according to the study, and almost 80 percent thought farmers used sound reasoning when making decisions about water.
Bottom line: People around the state have a clear perception of farmers: They're seen as heroes.
Compare that to local government officials, who often treat the people who grow our food like characters on a "Wanted" poster.
This doesn't come from research out of a cloistered think tank somewhere on a Nebraska prairie. It comes from the prestigious UF/IFAS Center for Public Issues Education, the university branch that compares public perceptions to local government officials' perceptions here in Florida.
The study claims, overall, local government officials were more confident in the quantity and quality of Florida’s water supplies. More than 70 percent of policymakers were highly or extremely confident in the quality of tap water in their home, compared to only 42 percent of the public.
The public, however, felt stronger about the quality of Florida’s lakes, rivers and wetlands.
The PIE Center partnered with the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, Florida Farm Bureau and Florida Dairy Farmers to explore residents’ perceptions of agricultural water use and how the organizations could best communicate with the public.
What researchers did was distribute an online survey to Floridians at least 18 years old and older, as well as local government officials, such as city and county commissioners and managers, mayors and city clerks.
"Even though 69 percent of residents agreed that farmers can be relied upon to keep their promises when it comes to water, more than half said that farmers should be watched closely so they don’t take advantage of water resources," researchers said. "The public and policymakers agreed that farmers should save water as much as possible and limit their use of fertilizers and pesticides to only what is necessary."
In spite of the good marks the public gave farmers on water conservation, only 19 percent of Floridians were aware of best management practices, or processes that protect water sources, compared to 40 percent of policymakers.
But, get this:
"Once residents learned about best management practices, however, 93 percent said they would be more likely to buy products that were created with best management practices. ... Almost three-quarters of the public said they would even be willing to pay more for products grown or raised under the encouraged processes."
Policymakers and bureucrats would do well to look more closely at this research from UF/IFAS: Floridians think farmers are the good guys. Couldn't the disconnect going on here between the public and people who think they know better actually be harming the Sunshine State more than it's helping?
Reach Nancy Smith at nsmith@sunshinestatenews.com or at 228-282-2423. Twitter: @NancyLBSmith
