Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Wilton Simpson announced new leadership for the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services’ Office of Agricultural Water Policy on Monday, appointing Jessica Ferris as director and Megan Seward as assistant director.
Ferris, who previously managed the division as interim director, takes over the position on a permanent basis.
“Jessica Ferris and Megan Seward are proven public servants with extensive experience in agriculture, natural resources, environmental policy and government operations, and I know they will build on the historic successes of our Office of Agricultural Water Policy,” Simpson said in a statement. “Florida’s farmers and ranchers are the original conservationists, and protecting our water resources while maintaining a strong domestic food supply requires practical, science-based, forward-thinking leadership from our Office of Agricultural Water Policy – and that’s exactly what Jessica Ferris and Megan Seward bring to the team.”
Ferris worked most recently as staff director for the office. In that role, she managed statewide water quality initiatives, directed the new Agricultural Regional Projects Program, and handled strategic planning.
She holds a Master of Public Administration and a bachelor’s degree from Florida State University. Ferris is also a certified Project Management Professional, a Florida Certified Contract Manager, and a graduate of the University of Florida’s Natural Resources Leadership Institute.
Seward remains in her role as assistant director, supervising the Policy, Planning and Coordination Bureau alongside the department’s budget and contracts sections. Her duties include overseeing agricultural Best Management Practices (BMPs), cost-share programs, water quality planning, rulemaking, and legislative analysis.
Prior to joining the agency, Seward held senior roles at Citizens Property Insurance Corporation, the Northwest Florida Water Management District, and the Florida Department of Environmental Protection.
The Office of Agricultural Water Policy coordinates with growers, commodity groups, regional water management districts, the Florida Department of Environmental Protection, and UF/IFAS. The division develops and implements voluntary, science-based BMPs designed to conserve water and limit runoff containing fertilizers, pesticides, and animal waste.
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