Perryland Farms, Taylor County
William LaValle and his family own and operate Perryland Farms in Perry, Florida. The farm was started in the late 1930’s when Mr. LaValle’s parents started milking cows. After the 1950’s the LaValle family produced timber. Today, they proudly produce cattle, poultry and hay. Mr. LaValle has been implementing Best Management Practices (BMPs) on the farm since 2000. BMPs are a set of guidelines that advise producers on how to manage the water, nutrient, and pesticides they are using to reduce agriculture’s impact on the state’s natural resources. Perryland Farms use litter produced by the chickens on their pastures and hay fields. The chicken litter serves as a complete fertilizer to the land offering the primary nutrients, secondary nutrient and micronutrients necessary for plant growth. Pond and creek borders are monitored closely to make sure cattle and runoff do not disturb the waters. Mr. LaValle proudly serves as a director of the Taylor County Farm Bureau. When asked why he is a farmer who CARES, LaValle responded, “to keep the land productive.”
