The Tri-County Agricultural Area (TCAA) situated along the eastern shoreline of the lower St. Johns River consists of approximately 11,330 hectares of agricultural cropland. Annual agricultural production in the TCAA is concurrent with the advent of the fresh water algal blooms in the river. Early spring production of irrigated vegetables grown on flat and poorly drained soils, with standard agricultural management practices of fertilization, irrigation and drainage, can effectively convey nutrient-rich storm water to a network system of ditches and canals into receiving surface waters of the St. Johns River. In March 2004, EPA officially adopted Total Maximum Daily Loads for both nitrogen and phosphorus in the freshwater reach of the LSJR which mandate a 37% reduction in anthropogenic inputs to the system.  Studies have shown that the TCAA contributes 39% and 50% of the anthropogenic non-point source nitrogen and phosphorus load respectively to the freshwater portion of the LSJR. Therefore, reducing runoff from these farms is a high management priority. The objective of this work is to assess controlled release fertilizer (CRFs) technology compared to conventional soluble fertilizers in a field demonstration study on three farms in the TCAA.Since January 2000, field plot experiments have been conducted to determine the effectiveness of CRFs as a potential new BMP.  These initial field plot results demonstrated that CRFs could be used effectively for potato production in the TCAA.  In 2005 an on-farm demonstration study was implemented on 3 farms to evaluate CRFs on a field scale. Preliminary results from on-farm grower studies have demonstrated that CRFs can produce a quality crop and reduce nitrate loading in the runoff by 60 – 80%.  Preliminary monitoring results demonstrate that CRFs could overcome the concerns of both growers and regulatory agencies by supplying ample nutrients to the crop while reducing potential runoff of nutrients.