Steve C. Walker Farms, Jefferson County
Steve Walker III owns and operates Steve C. Walker Farms in Jefferson County. The farm originated in 1992 and produced watermelons, row crops, and raised cattle. Within the next few years it focused on watermelons and row crops, to eventually grow exclusively tomatoes and fall produce. This 3rd generation farm produces in partnership with Hundley Farms of Belle Glade, which Walker has been on site manager for the past seven years. Steve C. Walker Farms has implemented BMPs since the early 2000s. 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. Some BMPs that have been implemented on the property include four moisture sensors, crop rotation, cover crop, soil and tissue sampling, fertilizer injection based on tissue sampling, and fertilizer injection calibration. BMPs such as moisture sensors help determine the available soil moisture content and maintaining soil moisture within the recommended range for the crop and soil type, in order to reduce possibility of over irrigation or leaching. These practices ensure that their land will remain productive and viable for future generations. Walker is involved in his community especially as a Jefferson County native. Aside from agricultural operations, he is involved in the business society as the owner and broker of Steve Walker Realty, LLC. When asked why he thinks it is important to protect our environment, Walker responded, “To preserve our resources for the future generations, with the technology available to us today. There is no reason for anyone not to implement BMPs in order to preserve our environment, and it also makes good financial sense.” He enjoys most about farming because he can solve problems and work through challenges. He states it is a “fulfilling lifestyle” that words are too little to describe.
