1The department may establish the Environmental Stewardship Certification Program consistent with this section.
14(1) 15The program must:
18(a) 19Be integrated, to the maximum extent practicable, with programs that are sponsored by agricultural organizations or state universities.
37(b) 38Be designed to recognize and promote agricultural operations or homeowner practices that demonstrate exemplary resource management that is related to environmental stewardship.
60(c) 61Include a process to periodically review a certification to ensure compliance with the program requirements, including implementation by the certificateholder.
81(d) 82Require periodic continuing education in relevant environmental stewardship issues in order to maintain certification.
96(2) 97The department shall provide an agricultural certification under this program for implementation of one or more of the following criteria:
117(a) 118A voluntary agreement between an agency and an agricultural producer for environmental improvement or water-resource protection.
134(b) 135A conservation plan that meets or exceeds the requirements of the United States Department of Agriculture.
164(3) 165The Soil and Water Conservation Council created by s. 174582.06175may develop and recommend to the department for adoption additional criteria for receipt of an agricultural certification which may include, but not be limited to:
200(a) 201Comprehensive management of all on-farm resources.
207(b) 208Promotion of environmental awareness and responsible resource stewardship in agricultural or urban communities.
221(c) 222Completion of a curriculum of study that is related to environmental issues and regulation.
236(4) 237If needed, the department and the Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences at the University of Florida may jointly develop a curriculum that provides instruction concerning environmental issues pertinent to agricultural certification and deliver such curriculum to, and certify its completion by, any person seeking certification or to maintain certification.
287(5) 288The department may enter into agreements with third-party providers to administer or implement all or part of the program.
