Student 2:

1. Agricultural lands provide important hydrological and water quality functions in integrated landscape - urban, agricultural, and natural areas.
2. Increase agricultural diversity (crops, products, and participants)
3. Improve competiveness of native plants in the nursery industry.

(paragraph refers to #2)

"Agriculture can only contribute to the environmental health of Florida if it is economically prosperous.  Increasing the diversity of crops. products, and participants reduces dependence on a limited number of crops and products.   Increased diversity of crops and products may also allow for diversification of the participants.  In addition, increasing diversity reduces the dependence on limited types of resources and increases the options available for the use of pesticides and other agricultural chemicals.  It also reduces the possibility of a large scale failure due to weather or disease.