Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis signed a bill that extended the Citrus Health Response Program’s (CHRP) Abandoned Grove Initiative. The Abandoned Grove Initiative allows citrus growers to terminate their trees but maintain their agricultural classification with the county property appraiser’s office even if the land remains fallow.
While the program previously allowed participants to keep their agricultural classification for five years, the new law has doubled that time period to 10 years. Growers must contact their local CHRP office before terminating trees to benefit from the program.
Here’s what the changes mean for citrus growers interested in participating in the program, as well as for growers with current Abandoned Grove Compliance Agreements (AGCA) or with AGCAs that expired prior to the bill’s passage:
- Any Abandoned Grove Compliance Agreements (AGCA) signed on or after July 1, 2025 will be for 10 year terms.
- There is no retroactive measure to this bill. If a grower had an AGCA that ended prior to July 1, 2025, that AGCA is not eligible for an extension.
- Anyone with an active and valid ACGA will be eligible for an extension that brings their term to a total sum of 10 years. For example, if your agreement started in 2022, your ag classification would be valid through 2032.
- CHRP offices will be affirmatively going through their records to see who is eligible, and growers are encouraged to contact their local office if they have any questions and to start the process.
- CHRP will have a booth at the Citrus & Specialty Crop Expo, and growers are welcome to come by and ask questions.
Source: University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences