Sustainable Land Restoration Through Free-Range Cattle and Controlled Wildlife Integration

Historically, Florida’s cattle industry relied on extensive free-range grazing in pine flatwoods and forested areas, a practice that not only supported local economies but also maintained healthier soil ecosystems.

Benefits of Controlled Free-Range Grazing:

• Improved Soil Health: Rotational, low-density grazing increases organic matter in soil, stimulates microbial activity, and aids in carbon sequestration.
   Source: NRCS - “Soil Health and Grazing”
  USDA Soil Health and Grazing

• Invasive Species Control: Cattle can help suppress invasive plant species like Coral Ardisia and Camphor trees, especially when managed in targeted grazing systems.
   Source: University of Florida IFAS - “Grazing for Vegetation Management”

• Avoids Water Pollution: Unlike concentrated animal feeding operations (CAFOs), extensive grazing disperses manure naturally, reducing runoff and avoiding nutrient overload in nearby waterways.
   Source: EPA - “Ag Nutrient Management: Pasture-Based Systems”

This approach could also integrate with local food initiatives, by supplying beef to community food programs, school lunch projects, and food resilience strategies that align with Alachua County’s sustainability goals.

Although wild hogs (Sus scrofa) are often considered nuisances, controlled reintroduction or management of native-type rooting species can offer natural control over certain invasive plant populations—particularly in wetland edges and disturbed forest floors where mechanical removal is difficult or environmentally harmful.

However, we acknowledge this is controversial due to:

• Property damage concerns.

• Disease transmission fears.

• General nuisance behavior near homes.

To increase public support, any plan involving hog management should:

• Allow licensed, seasonal hunting as a public food source, offering economic or subsistence value to locals.

• Serve as an alternative to chemical herbicides, which many residents are increasingly opposed to due to potential groundwater contamination and ecological harm.
   Source: “Public Attitudes on Herbicide Use in Forest Management” - Forest Ecology and Management Journal

Community Values & Alternatives to Herbicides

Many residents surrounding the proposed land are frustrated with repeated herbicide applications to control invasive plants. Alternatives like targeted animal grazing provide nature-based solutions that:

• Reduce chemical use.

• Improve biodiversity.

• Offer direct benefits to community members (such as meat or recreational opportunities).

 Source: Center for Food Safety – “The Case Against Pesticides and Herbicides in Conservation”

Conclusion

We urge government agencies and landowners to consider integrating regenerative agriculture and eco-sensitive wildlife management into the land’s long-term plan. These alternatives are not only historically appropriate for Florida but also more sustainable, community-centered, and aligned with conservation goals than continued chemical treatments.

Please contact F.A.C.T. if you have any questions or would like to discuss this further. Thank you for your consideration.