Matt Joyner, executive vice president and chief executive officer of Florida Citrus Mutual (FCM), reported on a recent trip that he, FCM President Kevin Koppleman and other FCM staff members made to Washington, D.C. Citrus Research and Field Trial Foundation Executive Director Steven Hall accompanied the group.
During their visit, the National Citrus Council convened to discuss challenges facing citrus. The council is composed of FCM, Texas Citrus Mutual and California Citrus Mutual. Joyner reported that the FCM contingent helped host the council’s Taste of Sunshine Reception on March 25. That annual event provides an opportunity to connect with lawmakers while showcasing the quality of American-grown citrus. Members of Congress, Agriculture Committee staff and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) officials were able to sample citrus products at the event.
Members of the FCM group met with members of Florida’s congressional delegation, White House officials, USDA leadership and key agriculture leaders in the U.S. House and Senate. At The White House, they met with the National Economic Council and the Office of Public Liaison staff. At the USDA, they met with Under Secretary for Marketing and Regulatory Programs Dudley Hoskins, focusing on the importance of ensuring citrus pest and disease protection remains a national priority.
“Thanks to our federal partners, we are seeing meaningful progress on Capitol Hill,” Joyner wrote. He stated that the One Big Beautiful Bill Act delivers on several of the industry’s top priorities by:
- Strengthening crop insurance and disaster relief programs
- Expanding citrus research funding
- Bolstering pest and disease mitigation
- Supporting specialty crop programs such as the Specialty Crop Block Grant Program
Joyner reported that the act also extends the Emergency Citrus Disease Research and Extension Program through 2031 and provides flexibility by waiving adjusted gross income limits for producers who primarily earn their income from agriculture. “These provisions provide both immediate relief and long-term tools to help growers recover and remain competitive,” he stated.
Joyner added that conversations with Florida members of the U.S. Senate and House were focused on continuing to advance the citrus industry’s key priorities.
“There is still more work ahead, particularly as we look toward finalizing a new farm bill,” Joyner reported. “Current proposals include significant investments in specialty crops, plant health and agricultural research, along with the reauthorization of the Citrus Disease Subcommittee and reforms to the Tree Assistance Program. These programs are essential to supporting grove recovery, advancing new technologies and ensuring growers have meaningful resources to adapt to ongoing challenges.”
Source: FCM
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