Steve Griffin, Griffin Trees Inc. , Okeechobee
Steve Griffin and his family own and operate Griffin Trees Inc. in Okeechobee, Florida. The farm was established in 1986 when Mr. Griffin acquired the land and started planting trees. They proudly produce oak and palm trees. Mr. Griffin has been implementing Best Management Practices (BMPs) on the farm for decades. 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. Griffin Trees Inc. uses microirrigation to conserve water and apply the precise amount of water to each tree. Mr. Griffin also uses a low phosphorus fertilizer to reduce the potential of runoff. A control runoff system is utilized to collect water containing fertilizers/and or minerals and store them in a reservoir to avoid runoff disturbing surrounding areas.
Mr. Griffin is actively involved in his local community. He is a member of the Florida Nursery, Growers and Landscape Association (FNGLA) and the Texas Nursery and Landscape Association (TNLA). He and his family attend church and are involved with the local youth sports. When asked why he is a farmer who CARES, Griffin responded, “for our children and theirs to come. And it is obvious the environment is in rapid decline.”
