142-3 The Impact of Suburban Development on the Soil Health of Lipman Family Farms' Tomato Fields in Southwest Florida

Session: Undergraduate and Graduate Geoscience Student Lightning Talk Showcase (Posters)

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Abstract:

Lipman Family Farms is the largest tomato producer in the country, with locations stretching from California to Florida. Of recent concern is a new suburban golf community developing directly across the street from their Estero, Florida, location. There is no known research showing how this type of development may impact the soil health of Lipman’s fields, and in turn, tomato crop production. It has been determined conventional agricultural practices are detrimental to the soil, and mistreatment of soil emits greenhouse gases. This study aims to determine the severity, if any, of the impact nearby suburban development is causing on the soil health of the Estero Lipman Family Farms’ tomato field. To evaluate this, samples from ten fields were taken: five closest to the development (Developmental Sites); and five furthest away, next to an environmental preserve (Environmental Sites). These samples were processed, and data was recorded of soil parameters including soil color, texture, moisture (%), pH, total organic carbon (%), nutrients/trace metals (weight percent/ppm), and types of minerals present.

Based on preliminary testing, the Developmental and Environmental Sites can both be classified as sandy, mineral soils, primarily composed of quartz. Both average grain sizes are between 3-4 f, also characterized as very fine sand. The pH of the Developmental Sites ranges from 5.8-6.9, while the Environmental Sites range from 7.0-8.1. The soil moisture of the Developmental Sites is between 0.68-9.77%, and the Environmental Sites is between 1.30-10.54%. The total organic carbon ranges between 0.20-3.89% in the Developmental Sites, and 0.34-4.77% in the Environmental Sites. Interestingly, K₂O values in the Environmental Sites were between 0.17-0.39%, and the P₂O₅ values were between 0.18-0.87%, while both elements in the Developmental Sites were below detection limits. In addition, significantly larger concentrations of trace metals, As and Cu, were detected in the Environmental Sites (average of 208 and 278 ppm, respectively) compared to the developmental sites (average of 89 and 14 ppm, respectively). These data suggest there is a difference in the parameters between the Developmental and Environmental Sites, and the suburban development seems to be negatively impacting the soil health of Lipman Family Farms’ tomato fields.

Geological Society of America Abstracts with Program. Vol. 57, No. 6, 2025

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