Faculty members from the University of Florida, University of Georgia, Albany State University and Auburn University are participating in the FACETS project which is recognized by USDA NIFA as a Regional Center of Excellence. A Project Advisory Committee, comprised of key representatives from agricultural, environmental, regulatory and scientific organizations in the region, helps define expectations for, and evaluate quality of, outcomes and impacts of research, education, and Extension activities.
The goal of the FACETS project is to ensure economic sustainability of agriculture and silviculture in N Florida and S Georgia while protecting water quantity, quality, and habitat in the UFA and the springs and rivers it feeds. We will achieve this goal by accomplishing the following objectives:
Objective 1: Build a comprehensive modeling platform to predict farm/forest- and regional-scale impacts of alternative land use and production practices on the water quantity, water quality, and economy of North Florida and South Georgia.
Objective 2: Engage stakeholders to work together to explore economic-environmental tradeoffs among alternative climate, land use, technology, agricultural Best Management Practices, and policy scenarios to understand changes needed to achieve agricultural water security and environmental protection.
Objective 3: Conduct innovative agricultural Best Management Practice (BMP) research and demonstration projects. Develop and deliver digital decision toolkits and training programs for diverse stakeholders to bring about preferred changes in agricultural production systems and incentive programs.
