Suncoast Plant Nursery, Hillsborough County
Roger Newton and his wife Mary own and operate Suncoast Plant Nursery in Plant City, Florida. The nursery has been in the family for over 30 years and was started by Roger’s son. They proudly produce woody ornamental landscape and plants. Mr. Newton has been implementing Best Management Practices (BMPs) on the nursery for over a decade. 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. Suncoast Plant Nursery applies fertilizer only once a year to reduce the amount of leaching that can reach water bodies by runoff. Mr. Newton also conserves water by following a strict irrigation schedule.. Using this method, Mr. Newton minimizes the potential of nutrients, pesticides and pollutants running off site. Mr. Newton is involved in his local community, serving on the Extension Advisory Committee for Hillsborough County. He is also a member of the Tampa Bay Wholesale Growers. When asked why he is a farmer who CARES, Newton responded, “the farmer was the original environmentalist and youth are dependent on our actions today.”
