Edgar Stokes, Edgar Stokes Ranch, Highlands
Edgar Stokes and his family own and operate Edgar Stokes Ranch in Lorida, Florida. The farm has been in the family for over 80 years and was established by his father in 1926. They proudly produce cattle. Mr. Stokes has been implementing Best Management Practices (BMPs) on the ranch 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. Edgar Stokes Ranch has a series of natural ponds it uses for control of nutrients and water flow. Mr. Stokes has supplied well water for the cattle to keep them away from surface water as much as possible. He also minimizes erosion by moving mineral feeders. Along with many other BMPs, Mr. Stokes uses a rotational grazing system for his cattle.
Mr. Stokes is actively involved in his local community, and has served in several leadership roles including president for the Highlands County Farm Bureau and the Lorida Lions Club. He is a former County Commissioner of Highlands County, was the president of the Florida Cattlemen’s Association in 1996 and a member of the Lorida Volunteer Fire Department. Mr. Stokes and his family attend Lorida Church of the Brethren. When asked why he is a farmer who CARES, Stokes responded, “the environment is our livelihood and we are the first stewards of the land.”
