As Citrus Industry changes to a new format in 2025 (see more here), now is a good time to look back at some of the stories the publication has covered over the years.
The world’s largest citrus library at the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences Citrus Research and Education Center in Lake Alfred holds a mostly complete archive of the magazine dating back to the first issue published in January 1920. The issues capture the history of citrus in Florida and beyond as it happened. Back then, it was called The Citrus Industry. Years later, “The” was dropped and the brand became Citrus Industry.
The very first issue covered hot topics of the day. While that was a greatly different time, many topics that remain important today have been subjects of discussion over the years in the pages of the publication.
Fruit quality and lack of standards was a big issue in 1920 and was written about often. It was noted in one article that the business manager of the Florida Citrus Exchange reported to its board of directors: “Early shipments of Parson Brown and Florida oranges started off at good prices, but soon declined fully by $1.50 a box, owing to the presence on the market of great quantities of unripe, undersized and decayed fruit. Buyers were unable to differentiate between the grades of fruits offered and in consequence the good suffered with the bad, with the result that prices were greatly depressed.”
Today, growers are battling quality issues but for a different reason brought on by HLB. As new treatments and tolerant varieties are planted, the industry will overcome the quality challenges as they did in the past. And Parson Brown has gotten grower attention again after all these years due to its tolerance to HLB.
LABOR CONCERNS
Growers were dealing with labor issues back when Citrus Industry began publishing. The May 1920 issue reported: “A recent report on the rate of immigration and emigration give at least a hint of one phase of the labor situation which few people have stopped to analyze. It throws a side-light upon labor shortages which cannot be ignored. The report shows that in 1913 there were 1,113,109 more people that came into the United States from foreign countries than left for other countries. For the year 1919, there were 45,023 more people who left the United States than came into the land from other countries. Instead of our labor supply being increased by more than 1 million per year, as was the case before the war, we are now sending laborers out of the country.”
Today’s growers have addressed the labor situation by relying heavily on the H-2A program. There’s no doubt the program could be streamlined and less expensive, but in modern times it is the only viable option available for most growers.
RISE OF THE MACHINE
In 1920, the magazine placed a lot of emphasis on the revolution in mechanization that was unfolding. The tractor and motorized vehicles were replacing the horse and mule. This massive change was reflected in the stories and advertising in the magazine.
O.D. Wetherell wrote a story titled “The Motorized Citrus Grove in 1920.” He noted: “A new kind of citrus grove is developing — the motorized grove — where automotive machinery is replacing horses and mules. With the motor truck and tractor to carry on the work in the grove, more economically, both as to time and labor — and dollars and cents savings at the end of the year — the day of the mule in the grove is passing.”
The technology revolution continues today. Now we speak of self-driving tractors and sprayers, highly automated irrigation systems and the promise of artificial intelligence.
FREEZES AND DISEASES
In 1920, articles still referenced the great freeze of 1895 and others that came after that. More freezes came in the 1980s that reshaped the industry. Articles featured the comeback and rebuilding of the industry after freeze events.
Throughout the years, the magazine featured articles on outbreaks of canker and efforts to control and eradicate it, which were finally abandoned in the early 2000s. Growers have learned to live with and manage the disease.
When HLB was confirmed in 2005, Citrus Industry turned its attention to the disease, and it has been a major topic ever since. While the disease has devastated the crop, along with several major hurricanes, work continues to find solutions to the problem. Much hope rests with the discovery of new genetics in varieties and rootstocks that offer tolerance or resistance to the disease that will allow the industry to rebuild and thrive.
FACING CHANGE
From 1920 to today, Citrus Industry has chronicled the successes and challenges of Florida’s citrus sector and other citrus-growing regions. There is no question that HLB is among the greatest challenges yet faced, and it has changed the face of the industry.
These changes are being felt by this 105-year-old brand as it merges with Specialty Crop Grower magazine in 2025. But Citrus Industry will remain firmly committed to the success of growers and its stakeholders as the industry fights to find solutions to HLB and return to better days.
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