Fifth-generation Floridian David Sumner, who grew up in a citrus family, has written “The Rise, Fall, and Future of Florida’s Citrus Industry.” The 327-page book includes historic citrus photos dating back to the late 1800s. Sumner tells the story of Florida citrus from the end of the Civil War to the present. He visited Florida archives and conducted 53 interviews with growers and industry leaders.
Sumner will be a keynote speaker at Florida Citrus Mutual’s Florida Citrus Industry Annual Conference in Bonita Springs on June 12.
A Dade City native, Sumner is professor emeritus of journalism at Ball State University, where he taught feature and magazine writing for 25 years. He is the author of 11 books, including a feature and magazine writing textbook. He graduated from Stetson University and the University of Tennessee, where he earned a Ph.D.
The story of Florida’s citrus industry has followed an up-and-down path of battling freezes, diseases and hurricanes for 150 years. After the 1895 freeze almost destroyed the industry, Florida growers fought back and replanted. After surviving the Great Depression and World War II, Florida growers experienced their Golden Era from 1950–1980. Seven freezes in the 1980s again devastated the industry, but growers fought back and replanted. Since then, citrus canker and citrus greening diseases have destroyed thousands of acres, and growers are still recovering.
Matt Joyner, executive vice president at Florida Citrus Mutual, said, “David Sumner has captured the essence of an iconic industry that has been part of the fabric of Florida since statehood and will continue to define the Sunshine State for decades to come. It is a must read for anyone interested in understanding the real Florida.”
University of Florida Senior Vice President for Agriculture and Natural Resources J. Scott Angle said the book is “a testament to the industry’s ability to survive challenges.”
The book will be on sale May 1 exclusively at BarnesandNoble.com for $14.95 in paperback or $24.95 in hardback.
Source: David Sumner
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