C O M M I S S I O N E R ‘ S

Ag-EnvironmentalL E A D E R S H I P Awards

2001

Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services - Charles H. Bronson, Commissioner

Inside Front Cover

It is my great pleasure torecognize the Barthle Brothers Ranchin San Antonio and the Carlton 2x4Ranch in Arcadia as winners of theCommissioner’s Agricultural Envi-ronmental Leadership Awards for2001.

Agriculturalists are the originalenvironmentalists. As a lifelongrancher, I have always known thebond between man and the environ-ment. We depend on the land, andare charged with being its truestewards as we strive to meet thegrowing demands of our nationand the world.

In the eight years since its inception, this program has helped Floridaagriculture “tell its story” by highlighting the environmentally innovativefarming practices of our state’s growers and ranchers. Publicizing theefforts of these award winners – now totaling 26 – illuminates Floridaagriculture’s dedication to preserving the environment and conservingnatural resources while helping ensure a continuing supply of foodand fiber.

This program booklet provides an overview of this year’s winners.The selection of these winners was made by an independent committeethat included representatives from major agricultural groups, environmen-tal groups and government agencies.

Again, my congratulations to the winners of the 2001Agricultural-Environmental Leadership Awards.

Sincerely,

Charles H. BronsonCommissioner of Agriculture

Dear Friends in Agriculture:

Awards

C O M M I S S I O N E R ‘ S

Ag-EnvironmentalL E A D E R S H I P

2001

Carlton 2x4 RanchArcadia, Florida

W I N N E R

Few structures and fewer fences stood on the pastures whenthey were purchased in 1978 – the 5,700-acre piece of tame grasswas virtually a clean slate for the new owners. Albert Carlton andhis wife, Dr. Barbara Carlton, saw an opportunity to do somethingthat few ranchers today have the chance to do – build a diversifiedand self-sustaining ranch from scratch. More than that, thesededicated conservationists dreamed of creating a ranch that wasnot only economically viable, but also environmentally sound.

Seventh-generation Florida agriculturists, the Carltons knewthey would need the help of skilled ranch managers to achievetheir goal of creating a treasure for their grandchildren – the ninthgeneration. They hired Pat and Brady Pfeil, experienced cattlepeople and knowledgeable rangeland managers, whose sons, Bradand Orin, would grow up on the ranch.

Combining the Carltons’ vision and the Pfeils’ expertise, theCarlton 2x4 Ranch, located south of Arcadia in DeSoto County,was designed with the long term in mind. Cattle and land man-

agement were integrated, with a strong emphasis on encouragingthe presence of wildlife. Water controls and fences were erectedwhere they would best utilize forage resources 20 years into thefuture.

The Carlton 2x4, one of Florida’s first brucellosis-free ranches, ishome to more than 1,000 head of Brangus cattle. The ranch, alwaysat the forefront of cattle production under Brady and Pat’s manage-ment, has kept extensive computer-based information on the cattlesince 1980. This record keeping has allowed the Carlton 2x4 tobecome a source-verified supplier of beef. Maintaining ownership ofits herd all the way through processing – a practice new to Florida’sranchers – demands extra care.

“If there is a good or bad part about our product it will comeback to us and we’ll know about it,” Pat Pfeil said. “How we handleour cattle in the pens, how well we protect them against diseases,and what type of genetics we use – every bit of that we’re account-able for all the way to the table. That’s going to become more impor-tant as we look at international pressures from various diseases

coming in. Now it goes right down to food safety issues, so wefeel really good to be out on the forefront in that area.”

The 2x4 is also a pioneer of rotational grazing. Balancing thenumber of cattle in relation to the amount of acreage and fre-quently moving the herd prevents overgrazing of pastures. Thisprotects the forage root system, allowing the pastures to regener-ate.

To help the quality of the forage, the 2x4 is working with theNatural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS) on a project toincrease legumes in their pastures. By feeding legume seedthrough mineral, the cattle will introduce it into the pastures withthe lowest impact possible. An earlier project with the NRCShelped the ranch reduce its fertilizer application by 80 percent.

In 1987, the ranch diversified further by converting some of itsflatwoods to citrus groves. To ensure health to the ecosystem, the2x4 embarked on a long-term study of its water quality with assis-tance from the state of Florida. The ranch hired an engineering

firm to design the 640-acre grove, and was permitted by theSouth Florida Water Management District.

The design used state-of-the-art technology for precisecontrol of water flow, including under-bed drain tiles and asystem of canals to feed a reservoir. More than 10 years of waterquality testing have established that water leaving the systemshows no trace of pesticides or herbicides. In fact, it’s the sourceof drinking water for the cattle herd – another testament to itsquality.

As a water-saving measure, microjets deliver water directlyto the roots of the trees. Small amounts of liquid fertilizer areinjected through this system many times during the year, allow-ing the trees to use the fertilizer more efficiently.

Tensiometers monitor the grove’s moisture level, and helpdetermine when to irrigate. Irrigation is performed at night toreduce evaporation.

Scouting the groves enables Brady to know when to applypesticides. This allows targeting specific pests, which helpsmaintain a better biological balance.

The Carlton 2x4 Ranch has demonstrated that intensive citrusproduction and a healthy ecosystem can go hand in hand whenBest Management Practices are applied.

As part of its long-term plan, the ranch has established 160acres of cypress in recovered wetland areas. Stands of long leafand slash pine have been planted as both a renewable resource anda source of wildlife habitat.

Of paramount importance to the 2x4 Ranch was the preserva-tion and conservation of wildlife. Dr. Carlton, an avid hunter sincechildhood, has encouraged the Pfeils to give significant attention toincreasing the variety and amount of wildlife on the ranch. Work-ing with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission,Pat and Brady have established a balanced deer herd. Turkey anddove populations have flourished. Some improvements comeslowly.

“The quail is in steep decline in all parts of the United States,”Dr. Carlton said. “I’ve made a commitment to try to reverse thaton our ranch. I’ve not been successful although I’ve been workingat it for about 15 years, having gone from predator control, toplanting feed plots, burning, chopping – all the recommencedprocedures. But I think the quail decline issue is far greater thanjust habitat management. So we’re trying to just increase any typeof wildlife or water fowl on the ranch in any way we can.”

For the better part of 20 years the Carltons and the Pfeils havecombined efforts with research groups and regulatory agencies,finding ways to enhance the native habitat, maximize the wildlifepotential, and improve agricultural practices.

“I feel honored to be called a steward; Ifeel honored to be called a cattleman,” BradyPfeil said. I try to remember to thank theLord daily for the job that He’s given mehere to be a steward. To have a place toraise my kids.”

Barthle Brothers RanchSan Antonio, Florida

W I N N E R

C O M M I S S I O N E R ‘ S

Ag-EnvironmentalL E A D E R S H I P Awards

2001

The family-owned and operated Barthle Brothers Ranch of SanAntonio, Florida, was formed in the 1930s by businessman J.A.Barthle. His sons, Joseph and Albert, from whom the ranch takesits name, carried on their father’s work. Today, J.A. Barthle’sgrandsons and granddaughters carry on the family tradition withthe help of their children.

The 8,000-acre ranch operates in the face of encroaching urbandevelopment that has had a major impact on their land. Despitethis, the Barthle Brothers Ranch remains a model of agriculturaldiversity with each family member contributing his or her uniquestrengths.

“I really enjoy working with the quarter horses. I guess that’ssomething I inherited directly from my dad,” said Randy Barthle.“Larry, who is interested more in genetics and trying to improvethe cattle herd, keeps the production records on the cattle. Mark isheavily into wildlife and conservation issues and mechanics. AndJan takes care of the books. She does a good job of keeping usfinancially solvent.”

At the center of the family is their mother, Jeanette BarthleSutton, author and past president of the National Cattlewomen’sAssociation.

“It’s been great to have them close by and to be able to seethem and the grandchildren regularly,” she said. “We’re a veryclose-knit family.”

The Barthle Brothers Ranch is a multifaceted agriculturalenterprise located in Pasco County. The spread is home to a 1,000-head commercial cow/calf operation, utilizing a three-breed rota-tional system of Angus, Hereford and Brahman. Currently theranch has 75 head of Brahma brood cows from a herd that began inthe 1940s.

While cattle is its primary agricultural venture, Barthle Broth-ers puts great pride in its quarter horse herd. The cattle havealways been worked from horseback, and, since 1946, this herd has

been the source of working horses as well as additional income forthe ranch.

“We sell them for ranch-using horses,” Randy said. “Theymake calf-roping horses, steer-wrestling, team-roping, cuttinghorses, barrel horses. They run the gamut of performance-typehorses.”

Rotational grazing of the cattle allows another agriculturalenterprise for the ranch: Bahia sod and grass seed. The opera-tions, which include harvesting both Pensacola and ArgentineBahia, allow the ranch to recoup fertilizer costs on pastures whileincreasing grass production for the cattle.

Barthle Brothers returned to one of its original crops – pinetrees – as an additional source of income that would enhance thebeauty of ranch and increase the amount of wildlife. Like manyFlorida ranches, Barthle Brothers harvested the timber on itsproperty in the 1940s to pay for the ranch’s land. In the 1980s,

hoping to generate future revenue from rough, unimproved pas-tures, the Barthles joined the Forest Incentive Program. Workingwith the Forestry Service, they successfully established long leafpines which have the added benefit of opening up more area forwildlife and cattle.

Unfortunately, the cypress trees on the ranch haven’t fared aswell. Well fields – drilled by Pinellas County, which needed addi-tional sources of drinking water for the Tampa Bay area’s growingpopulation – have adversely affected most of the lakes on theproperty. Big Fish Lake, once the ranch’s 300-acre centerpiece, hasbeen reduced to only 40 acres. By lowering the surrounding watertable, the well fields have dried up most of the area’s wetlands –wetlands which the cypress trees and wildlife need to survive.

“Changes occurred on the ranch due to the draw-down andthe lack of water,” Jan Barthle Dillard said. “First there was a lossof that wetland environment and the animals that went with it.The cypress trees themselves were not under water. There’s a

certain percentage of the time they’re supposed to be under waterand they certainly weren’t getting it. So we’ve had trees dying.”

“When I was a child we were 50 mile from Tampa,” Randysaid. “We’re now 30 miles from Tampa – and we haven’t moved abit. So it’s coming. It’s getting closer and closer all the time.”

Even though urban growth is affecting the ranch and sur-rounding area, the family is determined to preserve their land.Practicing good stewardship is important to this ranching family andit is apparent in the way they manage their property for wildlife.

“As far as managing the overall deer herd, that’s accomplishedbasically by being good stewards of the land and following goodmanagement practices with controlled burns,” Mark Barthle said.“All of these animals that thrive on the ranch are native species thatdeveloped on their own over the centuries in Florida, and it’s simplymanaging the land the way Florida used to manage itself withlightning strikes causing burns that regenerated the land.”

Working with the Florida Fish and Wildlife ConservationCommission, the Barthle Brothers developed a successful deermanagement plan that includes hunting leases with much stricterharvest guidelines than required by the state. Proof of theprogram’s success can be found in the Florida Buck Registry. Basedon horn size, many bucks on the property have qualified for theregistry – with several in the top 125 of all time. The ranch is alsohome to bald eagles, gopher tortoises, and a variety of animals thatare native to the Florida scrub land.

The Barthles have long been ambassadors for the agricultureindustry. Realizing that educating the urban population is crucial inorder for agriculture to survive and prosper, the family has takentime to open the ranch to various organizations from legislators tocivic groups, allowing the public to see and understand the commit-ment they’ve made.

“Even though it takes away from your time on a ranch, you’vegot to get involved in this process,” Larry Barthle said. “If you stay

home and say ‘I’m going to let someone else take care of it,’ thenit’s not going to get done. It takes a lot of time but it’s worth it,because you’re protecting your rights, your children’s rights, thegeneration behind you. You’ve got to get involved to protectyourselves and everyone else in the ag industry.”

Barthle Brothers is more than a ranch, it’s a family. It is anexample of Floridians maintaining their cultural heritage in cattleranching while protecting the natural environment.

“It’s something that when you’re on the property you knowthat you’re carrying on something that your father started and yourgrandfather before your father,” Mark said.“You have that connection. And that’s theimportant thing to me.”

P R E V I O U S Winners2000

1999

1998

1997

1996

1995

1994

Two Rivers Ranch, Inc. - ThonotosassaLykes Bros., Inc. - OkeechobeeSuwannee Farms - O’Brien

Longino Ranch - ArcadiaV & W Farms - Avon Park

Anclote River Ranch - Odessa

Edward “Jack” Campbell - HomesteadCitrus World, Inc. - Lake WalesEkkwill Waterlife Resources - Gibsonton

Schroeder Manatee Ranch - BradentonBurt McKee - TampaDavie Dairy, Inc. - OkeechobeeO.F. Nelson and Sons Nursery - ApopkaBright Hour Ranch - ArcadiaDeseret Ranches of Florida - St. CloudFulford Farms, Inc. - Monticello

Rafter T Cattle Company - Avon ParkA. Duda and Sons, Inc. - OviedoBabcock Florida Company - Punta GordaGustafson’s Dairy Farm - Green Cove SpringsJon’s Nursery, Inc. - EustisAdams Ranch, Inc - Fort Pierce

Pacific Tomato Growers Ltd. - PalmettoEvans Properties, Inc. - Vero Beach

Inside Back Cover